Plays a role as a neuroprotective factor (PubMed:12154011). Protects against neuronal cell death induced by amyloid-beta peptides (PubMed:12154011). Also protects against excitotoxic cell death (PubMed:12154011). Prevents amyloid-beta peptide-induced spatial learning and memory impairments, protects against amyloid-beta peptide-induced suppression of hippocampal long-term potentiation, and inhibits amyloid-beta peptide-induced activation of STAT3 and inhibition of CASP3 (PubMed:23996574). Prevents glutamate-induced dendritic atrophy in hippocampal neurons and also prevents glutamate-induced decrease in SYP puncta number and total puncta area (PubMed:31214013). Protects anterior pituitary cells from TNF-induced apoptosis (PubMed:25360890). Plays a role in ovarian follicle development by acting as a cryoprotective factor for granulosa cells in the antral follicle (PubMed:33764899). Increases androgen production in Leydig cells and promotes Leydig cell survival by preventing apoptosis (PubMed:16619233). Detected in the cytoplasm of anterior pituitary cells. In the testis, expressed in Leydig cells at 10, 20 and 60 days of age (at protein level) (PubMed:16619233). Also expressed in pachytene spermatocytes at day 20 and in vessels, peritubular cells and spermatids at day 60 (PubMed:16619233). Not detected in Sertoli cells (at protein level) (PubMed:16619233). In the adult ovary, expressed in stromal cells, granulosa cells, theca cells and oocytes at diestrus and proestrus (at protein level) (PubMed:33764899). Expressed in the anterior pituitary where it is detected in lactotropes and somatotropes with lower levels in females than males (at protein level) (PubMed:25360890). In the hippocampus, expressed in astrocytes but not in neurons or oligodendrocytes (at protein level) (PubMed:31214013). Expressed in muscle, liver and hypothalamus but not in epididymal fat (at protein level) (PubMed:19623253). Widely expressed with highest levels in cardiac and skeletal muscle and lowest levels in lung, testis and uterus (PubMed:12154011). In the CNS, levels are relatively high in the cerebellum and cortex and low in the hippocampus (PubMed:12154011). In the hippocampus, lower levels are detected in ovariectomized animals than in controls (PubMed:31214013). Levels decline with increasing age. Repressed by estrogen in anterior pituitary cells (PubMed:25360890). Induced by estrogen and progesterone in astrocytes (PubMed:31214013). Induced by growth hormone and Igf1 in Leydig cells at 10 and 40 days old but not at 60 days (PubMed:16619233).