Farnesoid X Receptor Alpha (Fxr Alpha) Is A Critical Actor Of The Development And Pathologies Of The Male Reproductive System

The farnesoid-X-receptor alpha (FXR alpha; NR1H4) is one of the main bile acid (BA) receptors. During the last decades, through the use of pharmalogical approaches and transgenic mouse models, it has been demonstrated that the nuclear receptor FXR alpha controls numerous physiological functions such as glucose or energy metabolisms. It is also involved in the etiology or the development of several pathologies. Here, we will review the unexpected roles of FXR alpha on the male reproductive tract. FXR alpha has been demonstrated to play functions in the regulation of testicular and prostate homeostasis. Even though additional studies are needed to confirm these findings in humans, the reviewed reports open new field of research to better define the effects of bile acid-FXR alpha signaling pathways on fertility disorders and cancers.