Effetto dell'acido retinoico sulle cellule del leydig: regolazione dell'apoptosi e della steroidogenesi

In addition to playing a foundamental role in very diverse processes such as vision and growth and differentiation, vitamin A (retinol) and its main biologically active derivate, retinoic acid (RA), are clearly involved in the regulation of testicular functions. Indeed vitamin A is necessary for the normal development and function of rodent testis. Accordingly, vitamin A deficiency results in testicular edema, degeneration of germinal epithelium and cessation of spermatogenesis.