Disease:Defects in INSL3 seems to be a cause of cryptorchidism [MIM:219050]; also known as impaired testicular descent. It is one of the most frequent congenital abnormalities in humans, involving 2-5% of male births. Cryptorchidism is associated with increased risk of infertility and testicular cancer. The frequency of INSL3 gene mutations as a cause of cryptorchidism is low.,Function:Seems to play a role in testicular function. May be a trophic hormone with a role in testicular descent in fetal life. Is a ligand for LGR8 receptor.,similarity:Belongs to the insulin family.,subunit:Heterodimer of a B chain and an A chain linked by two disulfide bonds.,tissue specificity:Expressed in prenatal and postnatal Leydig cells. Found as well in the corpus luteum, trophoblast, fetal membranes and breast.,
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