The Role of Chloride Channels and Chloride Ions in Regulation of Steroidogenesis in the Gonads of Amphibians,Birds, and Mammals

The paper represents the first review of data on the involvement of chloride channels (their inhibitors and media, in which chloride ions are substituted for anions that poorly penetrate in the cell) in the regulation of basal and gonadotropin-stimulated steroidogenesis in the gonads of amphibians, birds, and mammals. Possible causes are considered for different reactions of the gonad steroidogenic cells in representatives of different vertebrate classes to a decreased medium concentration of chloride and the involvement of chloride channels and/or chloride ions in the regulation of steroidogenesis is discussed.