Insulin receptor substrate 2 is required for testicular development

PLoS One. 2013 May 31;8(5):e62103. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062103. Print 2013.

Abstract

Insulin receptor substrate (IRS) proteins are key mediators of insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signalling. In mice, deletion of Irs1 is associated with profound growth retardation and increased longevity whereas Irs2-deficiency causes diabetes and female infertility. Clinical studies suggest that diabetes and obesity diminish male fertility. However, the role of IRS proteins in male reproduction is unknown. We observed that testis weight is reduced by 45% in Irs2-deficient mice as compared with control males. The weight of these organs in Irs1(-/-) males was similar to controls; however, since Irs1-deficient mice are 50% smaller, testis weight:body weight was increased in this model. Neonatal Irs2(-/-) mice also exhibited reduced testicular size, suggesting that impairments in this model occur during development. Histological examination of testicular cross sections from Irs2(-/-) mice revealed normal cellular associations without obvious abnormalities in the seminiferous epithelium. Reduced testicular weight was associated with fewer Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, spermatocytes, elongated spermatids, and epididymal spermatozoa. However, Leydig cell number and the concentration of serum testosterone were equivalent between Irs2-deficient and control males. Testicular weight was reduced similarly in non-diabetic and diabetic Irs2(-/-) mice, indicating that hyperglycemia does not compound the effects of Irs2 deletion on impaired testis development. Expression of Irs1, Irs3, and Irs4 was comparable between experimental groups. Collectively, our results demonstrate that IRS2 plays a critical role in testicular development, potentially by mediating IGF1 signalling during embryonic and early postnatal development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Body Weight
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / genetics
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / pathology
  • Embryo, Mammalian
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins / deficiency
  • Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins / genetics*
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / genetics*
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / metabolism
  • Leydig Cells / cytology
  • Leydig Cells / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Organ Size
  • Organogenesis / genetics*
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Sertoli Cells / metabolism
  • Sertoli Cells / pathology
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Spermatids / metabolism
  • Spermatids / pathology
  • Spermatocytes / metabolism
  • Spermatocytes / pathology
  • Spermatogonia / metabolism
  • Spermatogonia / pathology

Substances

  • Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins
  • Irs1 protein, mouse
  • Irs2 protein, mouse
  • Protein Isoforms
  • insulin-like growth factor-1, mouse
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I

Grants and funding

This research was supported by CIBERDEM, The Regenerative Medicine Program of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, and the Ministerio de Economia y Competividad of Spain. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.