胰岛素样肽3的功能及其研究进展

胰岛素样肽3(INSL3)是一种性别特异性激素,在胎儿期检测到羊水中INSL3的水平与胎儿的性别有关,孕期内INSL3的浓度随着孕周增加可发生先升高再减少的变化。INSL3减少可使睾丸引带发育畸形,从而发生隐睾。此外,INSL3还可以维持生殖细胞的存活和调节骨的代谢。INSL3在女性体内的作用尚不明确,其水平可用于评价卵巢的功能,并可调节雄激素的合成。本文将对INSL3在男性和女性体内的功能研究进展进行综述。

Function insulin-like peptide 3 and its research progress

Insulin-like peptide 3 ( INSL3 ) is a gender-specific hormone. INSL3 level in human amniotic fluid is related to fetal gender. INSL3 levels increase firstly, and then decrease along with increased gestational age. The reduction of INSL3 levels may cause abnormality of testiculus gubernacular development, which may be one of the mechanisms for occurrence of cryptorchidism. Moreover, INSL3 can also maintain the survival of germ cell and regulate bone metabolism. The role of INSL3 in female is not yet clear. INSL3 can be used to evaluate the function of ovary, and it may regulate the synthesis of androgen. The paper reviews the function of INSLs in both of male and female and the research progress.