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Médecine de la Reproduction

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Effects of vitamin A on spermatogenesis Volume 11, issue 3, mai-juin 2009

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Authors
Département de biologie cellulaire et développement, institut de génétique et de biologie moléculaire et cellulaire (IGBMC), CNRS UMR7104, Inserm U964, université de Strasbourg, 1, rue Laurent-Fries, BP 10142, 67404 Illkirch cedex, Strasbourg, France, Hôpitaux universitaires de Strasbourg, 1, place de l’Hôpital, BP 426, 67091 Strasbourg cedex, France

Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of vitamin A, acts in a hormone-like manner through binding to nuclear receptors. In mammals, it is indispensable to perpetuate the species, as it plays essential functions in both embryonic development and reproduction. Here, we illustrate this latter aspect through the recent inputs of molecular genetic which cast a new light on its mechanisms of action in spermatogonia differentiation, commitment of germ cells to meiosis and spermatid release.