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Response of the seminiferous epithelium of the rat testis to withdrawal of androgen: evidence for direct effect upon intercellular spaces associated with Sertoli cell junctional complexes

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Abstract

The morphological response of the Sertoli cells to partial or complete withdrawal of testosterone was studied in adult rats following hypophysectomy or administration of ethane dimethanesulphonate (EDS), a toxicant known to destroy selectively the Leydig cells of the testis. To assess the role of germ cells in effecting changes to Sertoli cells following withdrawal of testosterone, germ cell-deficient rats with Sertoli-cell-only testes (SCO) were treated with EDS to remove the source of testosterone. At 6 days after hypophysectomy or 4,6 and 8 days after EDS treatment, stage VII and VIII seminiferous tubules showed degenerating germ cells and numerous basally-located vacuoles approximately 1–15 μm in diameter. Ultrastructural analysis indicated that most of the vacuoles were multiple focal dilations of the intercellular space associated with Sertoli cell junctional complexes. In SCO rats, treatment with EDS resulted in a significant (P<0.05) increase in the formation of many vacuoles particularly in the base but also in the trunk of the Sertoli cells and again electron microscopic analysis showed multiple, localized expansions of the intercellular space associated with Sertoli cell junctional complexes. The appearance of intercellular spaces in SCO testes following androgen withdrawal cannot be attributed to shrinkage of degenerating germ cells since the seminiferous tubules did not contain germ cells. It is concluded that withdrawal of androgen induces early morphological alterations of the Sertoli cell junctional complexes in which the sites of membrane fusions representing tight junctions remain intact whereas the intercellular spaces exhibit major focal dilations. The results are discussed in relation to the fluid secretion by the seminiferous tubules which is regulated by the Sertoli cells.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Monash University, 3168, Clayton, Victoria, Australia

    J. B. Kerr & G. N. Savage

  2. MRC Reproductive Biology Unit, 37 Chalmers Street, EH3 9EW, Edinburgl, UK

    M. Millar & R. M. Sharpe

Authors
  1. J. B. Kerr
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  2. G. N. Savage
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  3. M. Millar
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  4. R. M. Sharpe
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Kerr, J.B., Savage, G.N., Millar, M. et al. Response of the seminiferous epithelium of the rat testis to withdrawal of androgen: evidence for direct effect upon intercellular spaces associated with Sertoli cell junctional complexes. Cell Tissue Res 274, 153–161 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00327996

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00327996

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