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The Circadian Clock Protein BMAL1 Is Necessary for Fertility and Proper Testosterone Production in Mice
The body’s daily clock protein BMAL1 is needed for fertility and normal testosterone levels in mice
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Abstract
Both male and female mice lacking the Bmal1 gene are infertile.
- Bmal1 knockout mice exhibit deficiencies in steroid hormone production.
- Male Bmal1 KO mice show low testosterone levels and high luteinizing hormone concentrations.
- BMAL1 protein is rhythmically expressed in Leydig cells, indicating its role in testosterone regulation.
- Expression of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), crucial for steroid hormone production, is decreased in the testes of Bmal1 KO mice.
- In vitro experiments suggest that BMAL1 enhances StAR transcription in Leydig cells.
- Other hormonal abnormalities in male Bmal1 KO mice point to additional roles of BMAL1 in reproductive physiology beyond the testis.
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