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Can Oxytocin be used as a Treatment for Sub/Infertility of Males of Seasonal Breeders?

Minjung Yoon, Youngwook Jung

Oxytocin (OXT) is a critical endocrine, paracrine and autocrine factor in male reproductive system. In seasonal breeders, the expression of OXT and its receptor (OXTR) were observed in germ cells, Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, and the membrane of the seminiferous tubules, indicating that OXT plays roles in spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis. OXT and OXTR were expressed in epithelial cells and smooth muscle cells in the epididymis as well as the epithelial cells in ductus deferens, suggesting that OXT is involved in the sperm transportation. The intensity of OXT and OXTR expression was significantly higher in the breeding season than in the non-breeding season. Several studies demonstrated that the size of reproductive organs and the rate of sperm production vary depending on the season. These results implied that OXT and OXTR systems appear to be important factors for promoting and maintaining reproductive functions in breeding season. Changes in the expression level of OXT and OXTR, along with the seasonal variation of reproductive functions, indicate that OXT system plays important roles in reproductive functions in seasonal breeders. Therefore, treatment with OXT may improve the male reproductive functions of infertile/sub fertile seasonal breeders.