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Orexins and male reproduction
Authors: Pallav Sengupta, Sulagna Dutta, Maiza Tusimin, Ivan Rolland Karkada
Number of views: 254
Orexins (or hypocretins) are hypothalamic neuropeptides with a multitude of physiological
functions. They occur in two known forms, namely, orexin A and orexin B with a common
precursor, preproorexin. The orexin receptors (orexin 1R and orexin 2R) belong to the Family
of G-protein coupled receptors. The primary function of the orexin system, i.e. the orexins,
their receptors and associated neuronal circuitries, perhaps is to increase spontaneous physical
activity and food intake, thereby promoting an increase in energy expenditure. Reports
suggest that orexins may be the key brain components to mediate the mechanism of obesity
resistance. Recent research also has thrown lights upon a significant role of orexins, especially
orexin A, in regulation of male reproductive functions owing to their receptor expressions
in vital testicular cells, such as Leydig cells, Sertoli cells as well as spermatozoa at different
developmental stages, even in the epididymis and penis. Moreover, orexins have been reported
to greatly influence gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons and their secretions to regulate
reproductive functions via modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Evidence
thus implicates participation of orexins in steroidogenesis, spermatogenesis, transportation and
maturation of sperm as well as in the control of penile function. However, further research is
required in this direction to elucidate the mechanisms by which orexins play a role in different
testicular functions and effect of orexins on semen quality.