scholarly journals A HISTOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL STUDY OF THE FATTY MATTER OF NORMAL AND CRYPTORCHID TESTES

1911 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 355-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederic M. Hanes ◽  
Jacob Rosenbloom

1. About 19 per cent. of the dry weight of the normal pig testicle is fatty matter. Histologically this fat occurs largely in the cells of the seminal tubules, and especially in the Sertoli cells. 2. During spermatogenesis the fat of the Sertoli cell passes inward for the nutrition of the spermatids and spermatozoa. During this passage its character is altered from a neutral fat to a lipoid. 3. About 30 per cent. of the dry weight of the cryptorchid pig testicle is fatty material. Histologically this fat lies within the seminal tubules, partially filling the Sertoli cells. The spermatogenic cells have completely disappeared. 4. We conclude that the presence of such an excessive amount of fat in the cryptorchid testicle is due to the absence of the spermatogenic cells which normally utilize during their development the fat furnished by the Sertoli cells.

1988 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-188
Author(s):  
H. Ueda ◽  
L.L. Tres ◽  
A.L. Kierszenbaum

A cocultivation chamber and two types of permeable substrates have been used to study: (1) the culture patterns of rat Sertoli and peritubular cells, and Sertoli cells cocultured with spermatogenic cells or peritubular cells; and (2) the polarized secretion of Sertoli cell-specific proteins transferrin, S70 and S45-S35 heterodimeric protein. Substrates included a nylon mesh (with openings of 100 micron) coated with extracellular matrix (ECM) material and an uncoated microporous filter (with pores of 0.45 micron). Sertoli cells cultured on ECM-coated nylon mesh organized a continuous sheet of multilayered epithelial cells essentially devoid of spermatogenic cells while peritubular cells formed a layer of squamous cells. Sertoli cells cultured on uncoated microporous substrate formed a continuous sheet of cuboidal epithelial cells with numerous basal cytoplasmic processes projecting into the substrate and abundant apically located spermatogenic cells, while peritubular cells organized one or two layers of loose squamous cells. [35S]methionine-labelled secretory proteins resolved by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography displayed cell-specific patterns that were slightly influenced by the type of substrate. Sertoli cells cocultured with peritubular cells on uncoated microporous substrate under conditions that enabled separation of apical and basal surfaces, secreted proteins in a polarized fashion. While transferrin was released bidirectionally, S45-S35 heterodimeric protein was released apically. S70 was detected in both apical and basal compartments. We conclude from these studies that: (1) the number of spermatogenic cells decreases when Sertoli-spermatogenic cell cocultures are prepared on ECM-coated nylon substrate; and (2) Sertoli cells in coculture with spermatogenic or peritubular cells on uncoated microporous substrate, organize continuous sheets displaying polarized protein secretion.


2007 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 289-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tat Wei Tay ◽  
Bibin Bintang Andriana ◽  
Maki Ishii ◽  
Naoki Tsunekawa ◽  
Yoshiakira Kanai ◽  
...  

The effects of mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) on 21-day-old C57Bl/6N mice and their Sertoli cell cultures were studied. Mice were given a single dose of 800 mg/kg MEHP by oral gavage and sacrificed 24 h later. At the same time, testes were harvested from another batch of mice for Sertoli cell cultures. Cultures were subsequently exposed to 0, 1, and 100 nmol/ml MEHP for 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h. An antivimentin antibody was used to detect intermediate filament changes in Sertoli cells. Meanwhile, detection of preapoptotic signals and presence of apoptotic cells were done using annexin V–FITC (fluorescein isothiocyanate) and TUNEL (deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling) analyses, respectively. In vivo results showed a correlation between the increase in TUNEL-positive cells and the vimentin disruption in treated mice. Toluidine blue staining of the Sertoli cell cultures showed the increased number and size of vacuoles in Sertoli cell cytoplasm. Vimentin immunohistochemistry showed gradual disappearance of vimentin in Sertoli cell cultures as time and dose increased. Some Sertoli cells were found to be annexin V–FITC positive, but no TUNEL-positive cells were found. Taken together, these results show that the appearance of vacuoles and the vimentin disappearance caused by MEHP in the Sertoli cells are related with each other and can be observed in relation to time. This can be used as an indicator of the loss of mechanical support for spermatogenic cells, which in the end causes apoptosis of spermatogenic cells.


1977 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. H. DE JONG ◽  
R. M. SHARPE

Peripheral concentrations of FSH in the male rat seem to be regulated in part by a protein hormone, inhibin, which originates from the testes. In an attempt to ascertain which type of testicular cell secretes inhibin, groups of male rats were irradiated prenatally or on days 4, 6 or 8 of postnatal life, and killed at 21, 51 or 81 days of age together with castrated and intact controls. The concentrations of FSH and LH in the pituitary gland, and FSH, LH and testosterone in the plasma were estimated for each animal, and the numbers of each class of intratubular cell in the testes were calculated. Rats irradiated neonatally had fewer Sertoli cells than controls at all ages studied, while the numbers of Sertoli cells in rats irradiated prenatally were higher than those in controls on day 21. The number of spermatogenic cells was usually decreased in rats irradiated postnatally. In the rats irradiated prenatally normal numbers of spermatogenic cells were found at day 51. Numbers of spermatogenic cells were significantly correlated with the number of Sertoli cells at the ages of 51 and 81 days. The concentration of FSH in the plasma usually increased in the postnatally irradiated animals on days 21 and 51, but not on day 81; prenatal irradiation did not result in altered levels of FSH at any age. Peripheral levels of LH and testosterone were not affected by irradiation. The concentration of FSH in the plasma was negatively correlated with the number of Sertoli cells in all age groups, whereas significant correlations between the level of FSH and the number of spermatogenic cells were only found at days 51 and 81. It is concluded from these data that the Sertoli cell is the most likely source of inhibin.


1988 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-114
Author(s):  
G.C. Enders ◽  
C.F. Millette

Spermatogenic cells differentiate in vivo while in continuous contact with the Sertoli cell. During differentiation, the spermatogenic cells and Sertoli cells form a number of morphologically distinct stage-specific adhesions. We describe an in vitro assay system for studying the adhesion of spermatogenic cells to Sertoli cell monolayers. Mixed populations of spermatogenic cells or enriched fractions of pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids were labelled with the vital dye, fluorescein diacetate, prior to their addition to Sertoli cell monolayers so that the adhesion of viable spermatogenic cells could be quantified. Using this assay system, the number of pachytene spermatocyte and round spermatid binding sites on the Sertoli cell monolayer were similar, but the kinetics of binding were different. Pachytene spermatocytes were able to inhibit significantly round spermatid binding, while round spermatids did not significantly inhibit pachytene spermatocyte binding. After coculture for 24–48 h, spermatocytes form junctional structures with Sertoli cells that are similar to desmosome-like junctions. These results suggest that pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids bind to Sertoli cells by different mechanisms.


Author(s):  
Rita Meyer ◽  
Zoltan Posalaky ◽  
Dennis Mcginley

The Sertoli cell tight junctional complexes have been shown to be the most important structural counterpart of the physiological blood-testis barrier. In freeze etch replicas they consist of extensive rows of intramembranous particles which are not only oriented parallel to one another, but to the myoid layer as well. Thus the occluding complex has both an internal and an overall orientation. However, this overall orientation to the myoid layer does not seem to be necessary to its barrier function. The 20 day old rat has extensive parallel tight junctions which are not oriented with respect to the myoid layer, and yet they are inpenetrable by lanthanum. The mechanism(s) for the control of Sertoli cell junction development and orientation has not been established, although such factors as the presence or absence of germ cells, and/or hormones, especially FSH have been implicated.


Author(s):  
J. Chakraborty ◽  
A. P. Sinha Hikim ◽  
J. S. Jhunjhunwala

Although the presence of annulate lamellae was noted in many cell types, including the rat spermatogenic cells, this structure was never reported in the Sertoli cells of any rodent species. The present report is based on a part of our project on the effect of torsion of the spermatic cord to the contralateral testis. This paper describes for the first time, the fine structural details of the annulate lamellae in the Sertoli cells of damaged testis from guinea pigs.One side of the spermatic cord of each of six Hartly strain adult guinea pigs was surgically twisted (540°) under pentobarbital anesthesia (1). Four months after induction of torsion, animals were sacrificed, testes were excised and processed for the light and electron microscopic investigations. In the damaged testis, the majority of seminiferous tubule contained a layer of Sertoli cells with occasional spermatogonia (Fig. 1). Nuclei of these Sertoli cells were highly pleomorphic and contained small chromatinic clumps adjacent to the inner aspect of the nuclear envelope (Fig. 2).


2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Li ◽  
Wang Xian-zhong ◽  
Yang Meng-bo ◽  
Zhang Jia-hua

AbstractTo illustrate the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on the microtubules of Sertoli cells (SC), SCs of piglets were treated with sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Changes in cell viability, anti-oxidant activity, enzyme activity and p38 mutagen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) activation were detected. The results were as follows. A low concentration of NO can keep SC microtubule and cell viability normal, and a high concentration of NO could increase p38MAPK activation, decrease anti-oxidant activity and transferrin secretion, and destroy the structure and distribution of the microtubules. The results suggest that SNP treatment results in an increase in NO in SCs and decreased cell anti-oxidant activity. The high concentration of NO destroys cell microtubules by activating p38MAPK.


1998 ◽  
Vol 274 (4) ◽  
pp. C922-C930 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fredric R. Boockfor ◽  
Rebecca A. Morris ◽  
Dennis C. DeSimone ◽  
D. Margaret Hunt ◽  
Kenneth B. Walsh

Mutations of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene have been associated with a number of male reproductive problems, including testis abnormalities and a reduction in germ cell quality and number. To establish at least one site of functional CFTR expression in the testis, we subjected cultured Sertoli cells to analysis of message, protein, and channel activity for CFTR. With reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, we obtained evidence for the presence of CFTR RNA when CFTR primers were used with RNA from cultured Sertoli cells. Western analysis performed with both anti-R and anti-C domain CFTR antibodies revealed immunoreactive material in extracts from primary Sertoli cell cultures that seemed consistent with CFTR previously identified in other cells and tissues. This led us to perform more detailed studies using the whole cell arrangement of the patch-clamp technique. Application of the membrane-soluble cAMP analog, 8-chlorophenylthio-cAMP, resulted in the activation of a Cl− current that displayed a permeability sequence of Br− > I− ≥ Cl− and was blocked by diphenylamine-2-carboxylate and glibenclamide. In addition, a 13-pS conductance Cl− channel was measured in excised membrane patches exposed to the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A. When taken together, our findings of evidence of CFTR message, immunoreactive material that appeared consistent with CFTR, and Cl− channels with properties similar to those reported for CFTR provide strong evidence that Sertoli cells express a functional CFTR-like protein. The presence of CFTR in these cells may be needed to maintain the specific nutritional and fluid balance in the seminiferous tubule that is vital for normal spermatogenesis.


Endocrinology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 155 (10) ◽  
pp. 3981-3995 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Ece Gungor-Ordueri ◽  
Elizabeth I. Tang ◽  
Ciler Celik-Ozenci ◽  
C. Yan Cheng

Abstract During spermatogenesis, the transport of spermatids and the release of sperms at spermiation and the remodeling of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) in the seminiferous epithelium of rat testes require rapid reorganization of the actin-based cytoskeleton. However, the mechanism(s) and the regulatory molecule(s) remain unexplored. Herein we report findings that unfold the functional significance of ezrin in the organization of the testis-specific adherens junction at the spermatid-Sertoli cell interface called apical ectoplasmic specialization (ES) in the adluminal compartment and the Sertoli cell-cell interface known as basal ES at the BTB. Ezrin is expressed at the basal ES/BTB in all stages, except from late VIII to IX, of the epithelial cycle. Its knockdown by RNA interference (RNAi) in vitro perturbs the Sertoli cell tight junction-permeability barrier via a disruption of the actin microfilaments in Sertoli cells, which in turn impeded basal ES protein (eg, N-cadherin) distribution, perturbing the BTB function. These findings were confirmed by a knockdown study in vivo. However, the expression of ezrin at the apical ES is restricted to stage VIII of the cycle and limited only between step 19 spermatids and Sertoli cells. A knockdown of ezrin in vivo by RNAi was found to impede spermatid transport, causing defects in spermiation in which spermatids were embedded deep inside the epithelium, and associated with a loss of spermatid polarity. Also, ezrin was associated with residual bodies and phagosomes, and its knockdown by RNAi in the testis also impeded the transport of residual bodies/phagosomes from the apical to the basal compartment. In summary, ezrin is involved in regulating actin microfilament organization at the ES in rat testes.


2007 ◽  
Vol 292 (2) ◽  
pp. E513-E522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrii Domanskyi ◽  
Fu-Ping Zhang ◽  
Mirja Nurmio ◽  
Jorma J. Palvimo ◽  
Jorma Toppari ◽  
...  

Androgen receptor-interacting protein 4 (ARIP4) belongs to the SNF2 family of proteins involved in chromatin remodeling, DNA excision repair, and homologous recombination. It is a DNA-dependent ATPase, binds to DNA and mononucleosomes, and interacts with androgen receptor (AR) and modulates AR-dependent transactivation. We have examined in this study the expression and cellular localization of ARIP4 during postnatal development of mouse testis. ARIP4 was detected by immunohistochemistry in Sertoli cell nuclei at all ages studied, starting on day 5, and exhibited the highest expression level in adult mice. At the onset of spermatogenesis, ARIP4 expression became evident in spermatogonia, pachytene, and diplotene spermatocytes. Immunoreactive ARIP4 antigen was present in Leydig cell nuclei. In Sertoli cells ARIP4 was expressed in a stage-dependent manner, with high expression levels at stages II–VI and VII–VIII. ARIP4 expression patterns did not differ significantly in testes of wild-type, follicle-stimulating hormone receptor knockout, and luteinizing hormone receptor knockout mice. In testes of hypogonadal mice, ARIP4 was found mainly in interstitial cells and exhibited lower expression in Sertoli and germ cells. In vitro stimulation of rat seminiferous tubule segments with testosterone, FSH, or forskolin did not significantly change stage-specific levels of ARIP4 mRNA. Heterozygous ARIP4+/− mice were haploinsufficient and had reduced levels of Sertoli-cell specific androgen-regulated Rhox5 (also called Pem) mRNA. Collectively, ARIP4 is an AR coregulator in Sertoli cells in vivo, but the expression in the germ cells implies that it has also AR-independent functions in spermatogenesis.


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