Farnesoid X receptor and reproduction

Farnesoid X alpha receptors (FXRα or NR1H4) are present in male and female reproductive tissues. The aim of the present review is to describe those actions of the most relevant ligands of FXRα on reproduction and the interaction of this receptor with other nuclear receptors, for understanding the possible role of FXRα in reproductive events. Thus, although the relevance of the FXRα on reproduction is widely unknown, its endogenous ligands like farnesol, chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), and cholate acid (CA) participate in proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, and steroidogenesis in reproductive tissues. In these tissues FXRα modulates estrogen and androgen actions. Since FXRα is stretched related to other nuclear receptors, also present in reproductive tissues, such as the liver X receptors (LXR), peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor (PPAR), liver receptors homolog-1 (LRH-1), small heterodimer partner (SHP), and dosage-sensitive sex reversal (DAX1), the FXRα actions on reproductive tissues might be directly or indirectly mediated by its interaction with these nuclear receptors.