Omega-6 Highly Unsaturated Fatty Acids in Leydig Cells Facilitate Male Sex Hormone Production

The study "Omega-6 highly unsaturated fatty acids in Leydig cells facilitate male sex hormone production" found a link between omega-6 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) and male steroid hormone production. Using a FADS2−/− mouse model, the research discovered that the enzyme FADS2, which is crucial for HUFA biosynthesis, is highly expressed in Leydig cells that produce male steroid hormones. Disruption of FADS2 led to a significant decrease in omega-6 HUFAs and a reduced capacity to produce steroid hormones. The study also found that hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) preferentially hydrolyzed cholesteryl esters with omega-6 HUFAs. High levels of male steroid hormones, which have been linked to conditions like androgenetic alopecia, acne, and prostate cancer, have been associated with a diet high in omega-6 HUFAs and low in omega-3 HUFAs. The study suggests that omega-3 HUFAs may suppress excessive biosynthesis of male steroid hormones by balancing the omega-6/omega-3 ratio in Leydig cells.