- Email: [email protected]
The Developing Testis. Physiology and Pathophysiology
Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology 212 (2003) 81–82
Book review The Developing Testis. Physiology and Pathophysiology Olle Söder (Ed.), Endocrine Developments, vol. 5, Martin A. Savage (Series Ed.), Karger, Basel, Switzerland, 2003, X +160 pp., 24 figs., 1 colour figure, 2 tables, CHF 148.00, EUR 105.50, US$ 128.75, hardbound, ISBN 3-8055-7495-9 The present volume in Endocrine Development series provides a welcome update and integrative review, which brings together the advances from molecular genetics, general developmental biology, endocrinology, developmental disorders, oncology, and possibilities for preservation of testis function. Clinical aspects are practically associated with recent advances in fundamental research. The volume comprises nine chapters written by Scandinavian, German and France-associated scientists. The first chapter “Male sex determination and prenatal differentiation of the testis” describes the development of the indifferent gonad and the differentiation of testis in view of recent advances in the regulatory genes of sex differentiation and organ development. The chapter covers in detail the present knowledge of genes involved in prenatal differentiation of the testis. With appropriate criticism, also large gaps in present knowledge are brought forward to point out where present and coming efforts in research should be directed. A little slip of the pen is the mistake in first name of Alfred Jost, one of the great pioneers in the field. The second chapter “Postnatal testicular development, cellular organization and paracrine regulation” concentrates on histological and cellular aspects of blood vessels, interstitial tissue, and seminiferous tubules. The information of the blood testis barrier, effects of temperature, and paracrine regulatory factors in the maturing testis are presented with mature expertise. The third chapter “Regulation of spermatogenesis” covers the germ cell development and differentiation from the fetal period through infancy and childhood into full-blown spermatogenesis. Regulatory factors and respective genes are updated comprehensively. The fourth chapter “Male germ cell apoptosis” gives an informative introduction into apoptosis including its different induction- and signal transduction pathways. It serves well as a basis for description of apoptosis in testicular germ cells. The text covers apoptosis during different developmental phases of testis and spermatogenesis including the effects of gonadotrophins and steroid hormones as well as several other regulatory factors in organized germ cell death. The fifth chapter “Gonadotrophin actions on the testis—genotypes and phenotypes of gonadotrophin and gonadotrophin receptor
mutations” starts with detailed description of gonadotrophin and gonadotrophin receptor genes and proteins down to nucleotide and amino acid sequences, respectively. Different known mutations and their physiological chances in receptor molecules are comprehensively covered. Despite of the vast amount of information accumulated from the studies of molecular biology in normal, mutated, and transgenic individuals the significance of the missing pieces of information are presented in the context of understanding and also possibilities for future treatment of disorders are discussed. The sixth chapter “Physiology and disorders of testicular descent concentrate on recent findings of regulation and ethiology in humans” the diagnosis and possibilities for treatment are presented from a strong basis of biological and clinical expertise. The seventh chapter “Testicular neoplasia in childhood and adolescence” gives detailed description of histogenesis and pathology of testicular tumors in developing testis. The presentation includes illustrative light micrographs of histological sections from different types of tumors, which helps in understanding the basis of their classification. The fortunately rare testicular cancer, its still poorly understood pathogenesis, and current possibilities for diagnosis and treatment are presented with wide knowledge and experience in basic research and clinical experience. The eighth chapter “Testicular function after cancer treatment in childhood” builds on the basis of previous chapter and clinical experience. The multi-faceted role of testis in production of regulatory molecules and germ cells in different ways at different developmental phases constitutes a complex network of actions and effects on several organs and in fact the constitution of the whole body. The consequences of chemotherapy and radiation therapy in each type of testicular cancer are presented in endocrine as well as reproductive physiology of the patients. Fortunately the recently developed new methods to preserve germ cells offers hope for successful treatment of possible infertility after the treatment for testicular cancer. The ninth chapter “Present and future options for the preservation of testis tissue and function” gives detailed description of recent advances in the possibilities to protect the reproductive functions of the testis from different internal and environmental deteriorating factors. The recent great advances in stem cell research and in the technique of intracytoplasmic sperm injection have greatly improved the possibilities of treatment of male infertility. The possibilities for future development of in vitro spermatogenesis and of germ cell transplantation are discussed with critical evaluation of current knowledge and
0303-7207/$ – see front matter © 2003 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.mce.2003.10.001
82
Book review
experimental experience. In the end the complicated ethical issues involved in all methods and applications of assisted reproduction will put the physiology and pathophysiology of the developing testis into its wide social perspective. The editor of the book together with authors of individual chapters deserves congratulations and thanks for a cohesive and well-integrated composition of the content. The text in this book is a pleasure to read. A total of 160 pages are not
too big for anyone interested in molecular, biological, and clinical aspects of developing testis. Lauri J. Pelliniemi Laboratory of Electron Microscopy, University of Turku Kiinamyllynkatu 10, FIN-20520 Turku, Finland Tel.: +358-2-333-7312; fax: +358-2-333-7380 E-mail address: [email protected] (L.J. Pelliniemi)
Book review The Developing Testis. Physiology and Pathophysiology Olle Söder (Ed.), Endocrine Developments, vol. 5, Martin A. Savage (Series Ed.), Karger, Basel, Switzerland, 2003, X +160 pp., 24 figs., 1 colour figure, 2 tables, CHF 148.00, EUR 105.50, US$ 128.75, hardbound, ISBN 3-8055-7495-9 The present volume in Endocrine Development series provides a welcome update and integrative review, which brings together the advances from molecular genetics, general developmental biology, endocrinology, developmental disorders, oncology, and possibilities for preservation of testis function. Clinical aspects are practically associated with recent advances in fundamental research. The volume comprises nine chapters written by Scandinavian, German and France-associated scientists. The first chapter “Male sex determination and prenatal differentiation of the testis” describes the development of the indifferent gonad and the differentiation of testis in view of recent advances in the regulatory genes of sex differentiation and organ development. The chapter covers in detail the present knowledge of genes involved in prenatal differentiation of the testis. With appropriate criticism, also large gaps in present knowledge are brought forward to point out where present and coming efforts in research should be directed. A little slip of the pen is the mistake in first name of Alfred Jost, one of the great pioneers in the field. The second chapter “Postnatal testicular development, cellular organization and paracrine regulation” concentrates on histological and cellular aspects of blood vessels, interstitial tissue, and seminiferous tubules. The information of the blood testis barrier, effects of temperature, and paracrine regulatory factors in the maturing testis are presented with mature expertise. The third chapter “Regulation of spermatogenesis” covers the germ cell development and differentiation from the fetal period through infancy and childhood into full-blown spermatogenesis. Regulatory factors and respective genes are updated comprehensively. The fourth chapter “Male germ cell apoptosis” gives an informative introduction into apoptosis including its different induction- and signal transduction pathways. It serves well as a basis for description of apoptosis in testicular germ cells. The text covers apoptosis during different developmental phases of testis and spermatogenesis including the effects of gonadotrophins and steroid hormones as well as several other regulatory factors in organized germ cell death. The fifth chapter “Gonadotrophin actions on the testis—genotypes and phenotypes of gonadotrophin and gonadotrophin receptor
mutations” starts with detailed description of gonadotrophin and gonadotrophin receptor genes and proteins down to nucleotide and amino acid sequences, respectively. Different known mutations and their physiological chances in receptor molecules are comprehensively covered. Despite of the vast amount of information accumulated from the studies of molecular biology in normal, mutated, and transgenic individuals the significance of the missing pieces of information are presented in the context of understanding and also possibilities for future treatment of disorders are discussed. The sixth chapter “Physiology and disorders of testicular descent concentrate on recent findings of regulation and ethiology in humans” the diagnosis and possibilities for treatment are presented from a strong basis of biological and clinical expertise. The seventh chapter “Testicular neoplasia in childhood and adolescence” gives detailed description of histogenesis and pathology of testicular tumors in developing testis. The presentation includes illustrative light micrographs of histological sections from different types of tumors, which helps in understanding the basis of their classification. The fortunately rare testicular cancer, its still poorly understood pathogenesis, and current possibilities for diagnosis and treatment are presented with wide knowledge and experience in basic research and clinical experience. The eighth chapter “Testicular function after cancer treatment in childhood” builds on the basis of previous chapter and clinical experience. The multi-faceted role of testis in production of regulatory molecules and germ cells in different ways at different developmental phases constitutes a complex network of actions and effects on several organs and in fact the constitution of the whole body. The consequences of chemotherapy and radiation therapy in each type of testicular cancer are presented in endocrine as well as reproductive physiology of the patients. Fortunately the recently developed new methods to preserve germ cells offers hope for successful treatment of possible infertility after the treatment for testicular cancer. The ninth chapter “Present and future options for the preservation of testis tissue and function” gives detailed description of recent advances in the possibilities to protect the reproductive functions of the testis from different internal and environmental deteriorating factors. The recent great advances in stem cell research and in the technique of intracytoplasmic sperm injection have greatly improved the possibilities of treatment of male infertility. The possibilities for future development of in vitro spermatogenesis and of germ cell transplantation are discussed with critical evaluation of current knowledge and
0303-7207/$ – see front matter © 2003 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.mce.2003.10.001
82
Book review
experimental experience. In the end the complicated ethical issues involved in all methods and applications of assisted reproduction will put the physiology and pathophysiology of the developing testis into its wide social perspective. The editor of the book together with authors of individual chapters deserves congratulations and thanks for a cohesive and well-integrated composition of the content. The text in this book is a pleasure to read. A total of 160 pages are not
too big for anyone interested in molecular, biological, and clinical aspects of developing testis. Lauri J. Pelliniemi Laboratory of Electron Microscopy, University of Turku Kiinamyllynkatu 10, FIN-20520 Turku, Finland Tel.: +358-2-333-7312; fax: +358-2-333-7380 E-mail address: [email protected] (L.J. Pelliniemi)