All in the family: TGF-β family action in testis development

Abstract

To achieve and maintain fertility, the adult mammalian testis produces many generations of sperm. While testicular integrity is established in the fetus and develops further in juvenile life, sperm production does not ensue until much later in life, following the onset of puberty. Signals from the transforming growth factor-β superfamily of proteins are vital for governance of testis development and spermatogenesis, and this review discusses our current understanding of the mechanisms and processes in which they have been implicated with a focus on the fetal and juvenile testis. © 2006 Society for Reproduction and Fertility.