INSL3 as a biomarker of Leydig cell functionality
Insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) is a small peptide hormone made and secreted uniquely by mature Leydig cells in the testes of all mammals. Importantly, this expression and secretion appears to be constitutive and therefore reflects the differentiation status and number of the Leydig cells present, dif...
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| Format: | Article |
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Society for the Study of Reproduction
2013
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| Online Access: | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/41428/ |
| _version_ | 1848796270270873600 |
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| author | Ivell, Richard Wade, John D. Anand-Ivell, Ravinder |
| author_facet | Ivell, Richard Wade, John D. Anand-Ivell, Ravinder |
| author_sort | Ivell, Richard |
| building | Nottingham Research Data Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) is a small peptide hormone made and secreted uniquely by mature Leydig cells in the testes of all mammals. Importantly, this expression and secretion appears to be constitutive and therefore reflects the differentiation status and number of the Leydig cells present, differing thereby from testosterone, which is acutely and homeostatically regulated by the hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. As a consequence, the measurement of INSL3 either as mRNA in the testis or as secreted peptide circulating in the blood provides an excellent assessment of Leydig cell differentiation, for example, during fetal development, puberty, or aging or following exposure to endocrine-disrupting agents. Whereas INSL3 is proving increasingly useful as a biomarker for testis status, less is known about its functions, particularly in the adult male. Current evidence points to autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine roles, acting through the G-protein-coupled receptor called RXFP2, although more research is required to characterize these functions in detail. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T19:45:19Z |
| format | Article |
| id | nottingham-41428 |
| institution | University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T19:45:19Z |
| publishDate | 2013 |
| publisher | Society for the Study of Reproduction |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | nottingham-414282020-05-04T16:36:38Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/41428/ INSL3 as a biomarker of Leydig cell functionality Ivell, Richard Wade, John D. Anand-Ivell, Ravinder Insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) is a small peptide hormone made and secreted uniquely by mature Leydig cells in the testes of all mammals. Importantly, this expression and secretion appears to be constitutive and therefore reflects the differentiation status and number of the Leydig cells present, differing thereby from testosterone, which is acutely and homeostatically regulated by the hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. As a consequence, the measurement of INSL3 either as mRNA in the testis or as secreted peptide circulating in the blood provides an excellent assessment of Leydig cell differentiation, for example, during fetal development, puberty, or aging or following exposure to endocrine-disrupting agents. Whereas INSL3 is proving increasingly useful as a biomarker for testis status, less is known about its functions, particularly in the adult male. Current evidence points to autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine roles, acting through the G-protein-coupled receptor called RXFP2, although more research is required to characterize these functions in detail. Society for the Study of Reproduction 2013-06-01 Article PeerReviewed Ivell, Richard, Wade, John D. and Anand-Ivell, Ravinder (2013) INSL3 as a biomarker of Leydig cell functionality. Biology of Reproduction, 88 (6). pp. 147-154. ISSN 1529-7268 HPG axis hypogonadism INSL3 Leydig cell puberty testosterone https://academic.oup.com/biolreprod/article-lookup/doi/10.1095/biolreprod.113.108969 doi:10.1095/biolreprod.113.108969 doi:10.1095/biolreprod.113.108969 |
| spellingShingle | HPG axis hypogonadism INSL3 Leydig cell puberty testosterone Ivell, Richard Wade, John D. Anand-Ivell, Ravinder INSL3 as a biomarker of Leydig cell functionality |
| title | INSL3 as a biomarker of Leydig cell functionality |
| title_full | INSL3 as a biomarker of Leydig cell functionality |
| title_fullStr | INSL3 as a biomarker of Leydig cell functionality |
| title_full_unstemmed | INSL3 as a biomarker of Leydig cell functionality |
| title_short | INSL3 as a biomarker of Leydig cell functionality |
| title_sort | insl3 as a biomarker of leydig cell functionality |
| topic | HPG axis hypogonadism INSL3 Leydig cell puberty testosterone |
| url | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/41428/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/41428/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/41428/ |