TY - JOUR

T1 - Male minipuberty in human and non-human primates

T2 - planting the seeds of future fertility

AU - Busch, Alexander S.

AU - Paturlanne, Juan Manuel

AU - Neuhaus, Nina

AU - Wistuba, Joachim

AU - Schlatt, Stefan

AU - Juul, Anders

AU - Omran, Heymut

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2023 Society for Reproduction and Fertility.

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - Minipuberty is a transient activity period of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in the postnatal and infant period in humans and non-human primates. Hallmarks of this period are surging serum concentrations of reproductive hormones. While in females, the role of minipuberty seems to be dispensable for future fertility, in males, it is significantly associated with reproductive function in later life. In males, this activity period promotes further masculinization, including testicular and penile growth, as well as completion of testicular descent if not already achieved at birth. At the testicular level, both, somatic and germ cells undergo proliferation and partial maturation during this period. Minipuberty is thought to prime male gonadal tissue for subsequent growth and maturation. Notably, perturbed or absent minipuberty is associated with reduced male reproductive function in adulthood. While the sustained HPG axis activity during adulthood is known to control reproductive function, minipuberty appears to be a prerequisite for obtaining full male reproductive function in later life, thereby determining future fertility potential, i.e. the ability to father a child. This review maps the role of male minipuberty for reproductive function and presents suitable animal models to study minipuberty. Also, it describes the development and maturation of testicular cell types, discusses short- and long-term effects of minipuberty and highlights future research perspectives.

AB - Minipuberty is a transient activity period of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in the postnatal and infant period in humans and non-human primates. Hallmarks of this period are surging serum concentrations of reproductive hormones. While in females, the role of minipuberty seems to be dispensable for future fertility, in males, it is significantly associated with reproductive function in later life. In males, this activity period promotes further masculinization, including testicular and penile growth, as well as completion of testicular descent if not already achieved at birth. At the testicular level, both, somatic and germ cells undergo proliferation and partial maturation during this period. Minipuberty is thought to prime male gonadal tissue for subsequent growth and maturation. Notably, perturbed or absent minipuberty is associated with reduced male reproductive function in adulthood. While the sustained HPG axis activity during adulthood is known to control reproductive function, minipuberty appears to be a prerequisite for obtaining full male reproductive function in later life, thereby determining future fertility potential, i.e. the ability to father a child. This review maps the role of male minipuberty for reproductive function and presents suitable animal models to study minipuberty. Also, it describes the development and maturation of testicular cell types, discusses short- and long-term effects of minipuberty and highlights future research perspectives.

U2 - 10.1530/REP-23-0036

DO - 10.1530/REP-23-0036

M3 - Review

C2 - 37606226

AN - SCOPUS:85169715328

VL - 166

SP - R63-R72

JO - Reproduction

JF - Reproduction

SN - 1470-1626

IS - 4

ER -