Klotho-gonadal hormone crosstalk in male and female reproduction†.

Fertility and sexual performance are directly related to the amounts of gonadal hormones. Gonadal hormones, fertility, and sexual function decrease with age. Klotho, an age-related protein, plays a role in reproduction and sex hormone-related diseases by regulating the amount and function of gonadal hormones. Klotho is a regulator of testosterone and estrogen at both the gene expression level and posttranslational modifications. Klotho is also involved in regulating spermatogenesis, oocyte development, fertilization, and fertility by participating in fibroblast growth factor (FGF) pathways and FGF receptors. On the other hand, gonadal hormones regulate the expression of this protein, and disruption of the related signaling pathways causes infertility, sexual dysfunction, and other sex hormone-related diseases. Gonadal hormones also interact with Klotho in maintaining the function of different body systems and can contribute to diseases like cancer and preeclampsia. Thus, the interaction between gonadal hormones and Klotho is strong, but the areas where the mechanism remains unclear.