Summary
Germ cells and Sertoli cells in embryonic mouse testes (day 14 to 20 of gestation) were examined by sectioning and freeze-fracture. Intercellular cytoplasmic bridges between the germ cells are observed in day 14 and older embryos. Membrane specializations with dense fuzzy material similar to the socalled “desmosome-like structures” are found between Sertoli cells and germ cells. A cell contact area with dense opposed membranes is also found between adjacent germ cells. Asymmetrical dense fuzzy lining of both Sertoli and germ cell membranes is noted. Pinocytotic pits or caveolae are frequently found in the Sertoli cell membrane. Between adjacent Sertoli cells, gap junctions of various sizes and focal meshworks of the occluding junctions are found. Most of the occluding junctional particles are located in the center of the grooves in the E face, and are similar to those in postnatal and adult Sertoli cell junctions. In addition, on both fractured faces there are ridges and grooves devoid of particles which are continuous with occluding junctions with particles, suggesting an initial stage in the formation of occluding junctions of the Sertoli cells. Particles gathered at the site of desmosome-like structures are present on the P face of the Sertoli cell.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Albertini, D.F., Fawcett, D.W., Olds, P.J.: Morphological variations in gap junctions of ovarian granulosa cells. Tissue Cell 7, 389–405 (1975)
Bjerregaard, P., Bro-Rasmussen, F., Beumert, T.: Ultrastructural development of fetal rabbit testis. Z. Zellforsch. 147, 401–413 (1974)
Black, V.H., Christensen, A.K.: Differentiation of interstitial cells and Sertoli cells in fetal guinea pig testis. Am. J. Anat. 124, 211–238 (1969)
Bustos-Obregon, E., Courot, M., Flechon, J.E., Hochereau-De-Reviers, M.T., Holstein, A.F.: Morphological appraisal of gametogenesis. Spermatogenetic process in mammals with particular reference to man. Andrologia 7, 141–163 (1975)
Clark, J.M., Eddy, E.M.: Fine structural observations on the origin and associations of primordial germ cells of the mouse. Dev. Biol. 47, 136–155 (1975)
Cooksey, E.J., Rothwell, B.: The ultrastructure of the Sertoli cell and its differentiation in the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus). J. Anat. (Lond.). 114, 329–345 (1973)
Dym, M.: The fine structure of the monkey (Maccaca) Sertoli cell and its role in maintaining the blood-testis barrier. Anat. Rec. 175, 639–656 (1973)
Dym, M., Cavicchia, J.C.: Further observations on the blood-testis barrier in monkeys. Biol. Reprod. 17, 390–403 (1977)
Dym, M., Fawcett, D.W.: The blood-testis barrier in the rat and physiological compartmentation of the seminiferous epithelium. Biol. Reprod. 3, 308–326 (1970)
Dym, M., Fawcett, D.W.: Further observations on the numbers of spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids joined by intercellular bridges in mammalian spermatogenesis. Biol. Reprod. 4, 195–215 (1971)
Eddy, E.M.: Fine structural observations on the form and distribution of nuage in germ cells of the rat. Anat. Rec. 178, 731–758 (1974)
Eddy, E.M., Kahri, A.I.: Cell associations and surface features in cultures of juvenile rat seminiferous tubules. Anat. Rec. 185, 333–358 (1976)
Farquhar, M.G., Palade, G.E.: Junctional complexes in various epithelia. J. Cell Biol. 17, 375–412 (1963)
Fawcett, D.W.: Ultrastructure and function of the Sertoli cell. In: Handbook of Physiol. Endocrinol. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 5, 21–55 (1975)
Fawcett, D.W., Leak, L.V., Heidger, P.M.: Electron microscopic observations on the structural components of the blood-testis barrier. J. Reprod. Fert. (Suppl.) 10, 105–122 (1970)
Flickinger, C.: The postnatal development of the Sertoli cells of the mouse. Z. Zellforsch. 78, 92–113 (1967)
Flickinger, C., Fawcett, D.W.: The Junctional specializations of Sertoli cells in the seminiferous epithelium. Anat. Rec., 158, 207–222 (1967)
Gilula, N.B., Fawcett, D.W., Aoki, A.: The Sertoli cell occluding junctions and gap junctions in mature and developing mammalian testis. Dev. Biol. 50, 142–168 (1976)
Gondos, B., Conner, L.A.: Ultrastructure of developing germ cells in the rabbit testis. Am. J. Anat. 136, 23–42 (1973)
Gondos, B., Hobel, C.J.: Ultrastructure of germ cell development in the human fetal testis. Z. Zellforsch. 119, 1–20 (1971)
Hardisty, M.W.: The number of vertebrate primordial germ cells. Biol. Rev. 42, 265–287 (1967)
Kaya, M., Harrison, R.G.: The ultrastructural relationships between Sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells in the rat. J. Anat. (Lond.) 121, 279–290 (1976)
Kelly, D.E., Shievold, F.L.: The desmosome: Fine structural studies with freeze-fracture replication and tannic acid staining of sectioned epidermis. Cell Tiss. Res. 172, 309–323 (1976)
Kushida, T.: Fine structure of the spermatogenesis, some observations on the cell contact of seminiferous epithelium. J. Tokyo Women's Med. College 43, 973–984 (1973)
Merchant, H.: Rat gonadal and ovarian organogenesis with and without germ cells. An ultrastructural study. Dev. Biol. 44, 1–21 (1975)
Merchant-Larios, H.: The onset of testicular differentiation in the rat: An ultrastructural study. Am. J. Anat. 145, 319–330 (1976)
Moens, P.B., Go, V.L.W.: Intercellular bridges and division patterns of rat spermatogonia. Z. Zellforsch. 127, 201–208 (1971)
Moens, P.B., Hugenholtz, A.D.: The arrangement of germ cells in the rat seminiferous tubule: An electron microscope study. J. Cell Sci. 19, 487–507 (1975)
Montesano, R.: Junctions between sinusoidal endothelial cells in fetal rat liver (1). Am. J. Anat. 144, 387–390 (1975)
Nagano, T.: Spermatogenesis of the domestic fowl studied with the electron microscope. Arch. Histol. Jap. 16, 311–345 (1959)
Nagano, T., Suzuki, F.: Freeze-fracture observations on the intercellular junctions of Sertoli cells and of Leydig cells in the human testis. Cell Tiss. Res. 166, 37–48 (1976a)
Nagano, T., Suzuki, F.: The postnatal development of the junctional complexes of the mouse Sertoli cells as revealed by freeze-fracture. Anat. Rec. 185, 403–418 (1976b)
Nagano, T., Suzuki, F., Kitamura, Y., Matsumoto, K.: Sertoli cell junctions in the germ cell-free testis of the congenic mouse. Lab. Invest. 36, 8–17 (1977)
Neaves, W.B.: Permeability of Sertoli cell tight junctions to lanthanum after ligation of ductus deferens and ductuli efferentes. J. Cell Biol. 59, 559–572 (1973)
Ross, M.H.: The Sertoli cell junctional specialization during spermatogenesis and at spermiation. Anat. Rec. 186, 79–104 (1976)
Ross, M.H.: Sertoli-Sertoli junctions and Sertoli-spermatid junctions after efferent ductule ligation and lanthanum treatment. Am. J. Anat. 148, 49–56 (1977)
Roth, T.F., Porter, K.R.: Yolk protein uptake in the oocyte of the mosquito Aedes aegypti L. J. Cell Biol. 20, 313–332 (1964)
Russell, L.: Desmosome-like junctions between Sertoli and germ cells in the rat testis. Am. J. Anat. 148, 301–312 (1977a)
Russell, L.: Movement of spermatocytes from the basal to the adluminal compartment of the rat testis. Am. J. Anat. 148, 313–328 (1977b)
Simionescu, N., Simionescu, M.: Galloylglucoses of low molecular weight as mordant in electron microscopy. I. Procedure, and evidence for mordanting effect. J. Cell Biol. 70, 608–621 (1976)
Simionescu, M., Simionescu, N., Palade, G.E.: Segmental differentiations of cell junctions in the vascular endothelium. The microvasculature. J. Cell Biol. 67, 863–885 (1975)
Simionescu, M., Simionescu, N., Palade, G.E.: Segmental differentiations of cell junctions in the vascular endothelium. Arteries and veins. J. Cell Biol. 68, 705–723 (1976)
Szollosi, A., Marcaillou, C.: Electron microscope study of the blood-testis barrier in an insect: Locusta migratoria. J. Ultrastr. Res. 59, 158–172 (1977)
Takahashi, G.: (Glutaraldehyde-)OsO4-tannic acid-glutaraldehyde-OsO4 fixation and staining of biological specimens for electron microscopy. (Abstr). J. Electr. Micr. (Tokyo), 26, 232 (1977)
Vitale, R., Fawcett, D.W., Dym, M.: The normal development of the blood-testis barrier and the effects of clomiphene and estrogen treatment. Anat. Rec. 176, 333–344 (1973)
Watt, I.M.: Reduction in specimen-level heating during carbon depositions by the Bradley technique. Proc. 8th Internat. Congr. Electr. Micr. Canberra 2, 402–403 (1974)
Yee, A.G., Revel, J.P.: Endothelial cell junctions. J. Cell Biol. 66, 200–204 (1975)
Zamboni, L., Gondos, B.: Intercellular bridges and synchronization of germ cell differentiation during oogenesis in the rabbit. J. Cell Biol. 36, 276–282 (1968)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This work is supported by the Japanese Ministry of Education
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nagano, T., Suzuki, F. Cell to cell relationships in the seminiferous epithelium in the mouse embryo. Cell Tissue Res. 189, 389–401 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00209128
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00209128