Ccdc117 deficiency triggers hyperandrogenemia, maintaining normal sperm production despite reduced testis size - PubMed
5 hours ago
- #fertility
- #CCDC117
- #hyperandrogenemia
- CCDC117 deficiency leads to hyperandrogenemia while maintaining normal sperm production despite smaller testis size.
- Knockout mice showed a 21% reduction in testis weight but preserved fertility and sperm production.
- Loss of CCDC117 causes a compensatory upregulation of steroidogenic pathways in Leydig cells, doubling serum testosterone without increased LH.
- Intratesticular testosterone levels rose by 1.5-fold, supporting spermatogenesis in structurally compromised tubules.
- The study reveals CCDC117 as a local brake on Leydig cell steroidogenesis, ensuring reproductive resilience.