A role of junction-mediated interactions in cells of the male reproductive tract: Impact of prenatal, neonatal, and prepubertal exposure to anti-androgens on adult reproduction

Abstract

Male sexual development and male reproductive functions are dependent on the normal action of androgens, and an unbalanced ratio of the active androgens can lead to varying degrees of structural and functional abnormalities within the reproductive organs. Endocrine balance can be disturbed by environmental and pharmaceutical anti-androgens (i.e. vinclozolin, phthalates, procymidone, and flutamide) that antagonize normal androgen action. Such chemical compounds enter the cell, bind to the receptor and inactivate transcription leading to disruption of androgen-mediated signaling. Assembling and functioning of cell junctions in hormone-dependent tissues, such as testis, epididymis and prostate appeared to be controlled by steroid hormones, predominantly by androgens. This review presents recent findings on the tight junction proteins mainly responsible for normal functioning of the barrier within the testis, epididymis and prostate, anchoring junction proteins that play a crucial role in normal cell-cell adhesion, and gap junction proteins through which intercellular communication takes place in the male reproductive tract. The review gives examples of animal models that are used in endocrine disruption studies with a focus on the author’s own data from studies in the pig.