Summary
Different types of cell contacts in the seminiferous tubules have been studied electron microscopically in some laboratory and domestic mammals. Specialized inter-Sertoli cell contacts are always present. Most of them show a narrow — partly perhaps closed — intercellular space at some distance from the basement membrane, above the spermatogonia but below the spermatocytes. Fibrillar material is present in the cytoplasm near the junction as well as subsurface cisterns of the endoplasmic reticulum. Two main types of narrow junctions and one wide junction are described. These junctions are interpreted as devices for adhesion and perhaps intercommunication between the basal parts of the Sertoli cells. The narrow junctions are also considered to impede the intercellular transport of substances to spermatocytes and spermatides and into the luminal fluid. This interpretation emphasizes the importance of the Sertoli cells as nurse cells for the spermatocytes and spermatids.
Numerous fine branches of the Sertoli cells surround spermatocytes, spherical spermatids, and true residual bodies, and others protrude deeply into the postnuclear cytoplasm of elongated spermatids. The plasma membrane of developing spermatids turns thicker and becomes a distinct “unit membrane”. Dense, fibrillar material and long, narrow subsurface cisterns are always present in the Sertoli cells along their border to the acrosomal area of the elongated spermatids. This arrangement is interpreted as an attachment device of hemidesmosomal character.
Intercellular bridges are considered to interconnect as many as four primary spermatocytes or sixteen spermatids.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
André, J.: Some aspects of specialization in sperm, p. 91–115. In: D. Mazia and A. Tyler (eds.), Physiology of cell specialization. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co. 1963.
Bairati jr., A., and N. Orzalesi: The ultrastructure of the epithelium of the ciliary body. A study of the junctional complexes and of the changes associated with the production of plasmoid aqueous humour. Z. Zellforsch. 69, 635–658 (1966).
Bawa, S. R.: Fine structure of the Sertoli cells of the human testis. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 9, 459–474 (1963).
Berger, E. R.: Subsurface membranes in paired cone photoreceptor inner segments of adult and neonatal Lebistes retinae. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 17, 220–232 (1967).
Bondareff, W.: Electron microscopic evidence for the existence of an intercellular substance in rat cerebral cortex. Z. Zellforsch. 72, 487–495 (1966).
Bowers, B.: Coated vesicles in the pericardial cells of the aphid (Myzus persicae Sulz). Protoplasma (Wien) 59, 351–367 (1964).
Brightman, M. W.: The distribution within the brain of ferritin into cerebrospinal fluid compartments. II. Parenchymal distribution. Amer. J. Anat. 117, 193–220 (1965).
—, and S. L. Palay: The fine structure of ependyma in the brain of the rat. J. Cell Biol. 19, 415–439 (1963).
Brökelmann, J.: Fine structure of germ cells and Sertoli cells during the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium in the rat. Z. Zellforsch. 59, 820–850 (1963).
—: Über die Stütz- und Zwischenzellen des Froschhodens während des spermatogenetischen Zyklus. Z. Zellforsch. 64, 429–461 (1964).
Burgos, M. H.: Fine structure of the basement membrane of the human seminiferous tubules. Anat. Rec. 136, 312 (1960).
—, and D. W. Fawcett: Studies on the fine structure of the mammalian testis. I. The differentiation of the spermatids in the cat (Felis domestica). J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 1, 287–300 (1955).
Casley-Smith, J. R.: An electron microscopical study of the passage of ions through the endothelium of lymphatic and blood capillaries, and through the mesothelium. Quart. J. exp. Physiol. 52, 105–113 (1967).
Caulfield, J. B.: Effects of varying the vehicle for OsO4 in tissue fixation. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 3, 827–830 (1957).
Clegg, E. J., and E. W. MacMillan: The uptake of vital dyes and particulate matter by the Sertoli cells of the rat testis. J. Anat. (Lond.) 99, 219–229 (1965).
Copeland, E.: Septate desmosomes and juxtaposition membranes. J. Cell Biol. 31, 24 A (1966).
Cunningham, W. P., and F. L. Crane: Variation in membrane structure as revealed by negative staining technique. Exp. Cell Res. 44, 31–45 (1966).
Curtis, A. S. G.: Cell contact and adhesion. Biol. Rev. 37, 82–129 (1962).
Dalton, A. J., and R. F. Zeigel: A simplified method of staining thin sections of biological material with lead hydroxide for electron microscopy. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 7, 409–410 (1960).
De Robertis, E., M. H. Burgos, and E. Breyter: Action of anterior pituitary on Sertoli cells and on release of toad spermatozoa. Proc. Soc. exp. Biol. (N. Y.) 61, 20–22 (1946).
Dewey, M. M., and L. Barr: A study of the structure and distribution of the nexus. J. Cell Biol. 23, 553–586 (1964).
Dietert, S. E.: Fine structure of the formation and fate of the residual bodies of mouse spermatozoa with evidence for the participation of lysosomes. J. Morph. 120, 317–346 (1966).
Droller, M. J., and T. F. Roth: An electron microscope study of yolk formation during oogenesis in Lebistes reticulatus guppyi. J. Cell Biol. 28, 209–232 (1966).
Elftman, H.: Sertoli cells and testis structure. Amer. J. Anat. 113, 25–33 (1963).
Elfvin, L. -G.: The ultrastructure of the nodes of Ranvier in cat sympathetic nerve fibers. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 5, 374–387 (1961).
Ericsson, J. L. E.: Absorption and decomposition of homologous hemoglobin in renal proximal tubular cells. Acta path. microbiol. scand., Suppl. 168, 1–121 (1964).
Farquhar, M. G., and G. E. Palade: Junctional complexes in various epithelia. J. Cell Biol. 17, 375–412 (1963).
Fawcett, D. W.: Intercellular bridges. Exp. Cell Res., Suppl. 8, 174–187 (1961).
—, and S. Ito: Observations on the cytoplasmic membranes of testicular cells, examined by phase contrast and electron microscopy. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 4, 135–142 (1958).
—, and D. Slautterback: The occurrence of intercellular bridges in groups of cells exhibiting synchronous differentiation. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 5, 453–460 (1959).
Flickinger, C. J.: The postnatal development of the Sertoli cells of the mouse. Z. Zellforsch. 78, 92–113 (1967).
Gardner, P. J., and E. A. Holyoke: Fine structure of the seminiferous tubule of the Swiss mouse. Anat. Rec. 150, 391–404 (1964).
Graham jr, R. C.: Ultrastructural cytochemical studies of the transport of horseradish peroxidase in the mouse renal glomerulus. Anat. Rec.154, 350 (1966).
Harreveld, A. van, J. Crowell, and S. K. Malhotra: A study of extracellular space in central nervous tissue by freeze-substitution. J. Cell Biol. 25, 117–137 (1965).
Horstmann, E.: Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen zur Spermiohistogenese beim Menschen. Z. Zellforsch. 54, 68–98 (1961).
Karlsson, U.: Three-dimensional studies of neurons in the lateral geniculate nucleus of the rat. II. Environment of perikarya and proximal parts of their branches. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 16, 482–504 (1966).
Karnovsky, M. J.: Vesicular transport of exogenous peroxidase across capillary endothelium into the T system of muscle. J. Cell Biol. 27, 49 A (1965).
—, and R. S. Cotran: The intercellular passage of exogenous peroxidase across endothelium and mesothelium. Anat. Rec. 154, 365 (1966).
Kelly, D. E.: Fine structure of desmosomes, hemidesmosomes, and an adepidermal globular layer in developing newt epidermis. J. Cell Biol. 28, 51–72 (1966).
Lambson, R. O.: An electron microscopic visualization of transport across rat visceral yolk sac. Amer. J. Anat. 118, 21–52 (1966).
Loewenstein, W. R.: Permeability of membrane junctions. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 137, 441–470 (1966).
Luft, J. H.: Improvements in epoxy resin embedding methods. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 9, 409–417 (1961).
—: The ultrastructural basis of capillary permeability, p. 121–159. In: B. W. Zweifach, L. Grant and R. T. McCluskey (eds.), The inflammatory process. New York: Academic Press 1965.
Mancini, R. E., O. Vilar, B. Alvarez, and A. C. Seiguer: Extravascular and intratubular diffusion of labeled serum proteins in the rat testis. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 13, 376–385 (1965).
Maunsbach, A. B.: The influence of different fixatives and fixation methods on the ultrastructure of rat kidney proximal tubule cells. I. Comparison of different perfusion fixation and of glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde and osmium tetroxide fixatives. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 15, 242–282 (1966).
Mercer, E. H.: Intercellular adhesion and histogenesis, p. 29–53. In: R. L. DeHaan and H. Ursprung (eds.), Organogenesis. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston 1965.
Meyer, G.: Interzelluläre Brücken (Fusome) im Hoden und im Ei-Nährzellverband von Drosophila melanagaster. Z. Zellforsch. 54, 238–251 (1961).
Millonig, G.: Advantages of a phosphate buffer for OsO4 solutions in fixation. J. appl. Physics. 32, 1637 (1961).
Mollenhauer, H. H.: Permanganate fixation of plant cells. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 6, 431–436 (1959).
Nagano, T.: Some observations on the fine structure of the Sertoli cell in the human testis. Z. Zellforsch. 73, 89–106 (1966).
Nicander, L.: Some ultrastructural features of mammalian Sertoli cells. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 8, 190–191 (1963).
—, and A. Bane: Fine structure of the sperm head in some mammals, with particular reference to the acrosome and the subacrosomal substance. Z. Zellforsch. 72, 496–515 (1966).
Niemi, M., and M. Kormano: Cyclical changes in and significance of lipids and acid phosphatase activity in the seminiferous tubules of the rat testis. Anat. Rec. 151, 159–170 (1965).
Rambourg, A., M. Neutra, and C. P. Leblond: Presence of a cell coat rich in carbohydrate at the surface of cells in the rat. Anat. Rec. 154, 41–52 (1966).
Eger, J. F.: The fine structure of fibrillar components and plasma membrane contacts in esophageal myoepithelium of Ascaris lumbricoides (var. suum). J. Ultrastruct. Res. 14, 602–617 (1966).
Robertson, J. D.: Unit membranes: A review with recent new studies of experimental alterations and a new subunit structure in synaptic membranes, p. 1–81. In: M. Locke (ed.), Cellular membranes in development. New York and London: Academic Press 1964.
Rolshoven, E.: Ursachen und Bedeutung der intratubulären Sekretströmung im Säugerhoden. Z. Anat. Entwickl.-Gesch. 105, 374–385 (1936).
—: Spermatogenese und Sertolisyncytium. Z. Zellforsch. 33, 439–460 (1945).
Roosen-Runge, E. C.: The process of spermatogenesis in mammals. Biol. Rev. 37, 343–377 (1962).
Rosenbluth, J.: Contrast between osmium-fixed and permanganate-fixed toad spinal ganglia. J. Cell Biol. 16, 143–157 (1963).
Roth, T. F., and K. R. Porter: Yolk protein uptake in the oocyte of the mosquito Aedes aegypti L. J. Cell Biol. 20, 313–332 (1964).
Sabatini, D. B., K. Bensch, and R. J. Barrnett: Cytochemistry and electron microscopy. The preservation of cellular ultrastructure and enzymatic activity by aldehyde fixation. J. Cell Biol. 17, 19–58 (1963).
Sapsford, C. S.: The development of the Sertoli cell of the rat and mouse: its existence as a mononucleate unit. J. Anat. (Lond.) 97, 225–238 (1963).
Setchell, B. P.: The blood-testicular fluid barrier in sheep. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 189, 63P (1967).
Sjöstrand, F.: A comparison of plasma membrane, cytomembranes, and mitochondrial membrane elements with respect to ultrastructural features. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 9, 561–580 (1963).
Stefano, H. S. di: Substructure of membranes in cultivated chick embryo fibroblasts. Z. Zellforsch. 70, 322–333 (1966).
Tice, L. W., and R. J. Barrnett: The fine structural localization of some testicular phosphatases. Anat. Rec. 147, 43–64 (1963).
Tormey, J. McD.: Differences in membrane configuration between osmium tetroxide-fixed and glutaraldehyde-fixed ciliary epithelium. J. Cell Biol. 23, 658–664 (1964).
Trelstad, R. I., J. -P. Revel, and E. D. Hay: Tight junctions between cells in the early chick embryo as visualized with the electron microscope. J. Cell Biol. 31, C 6 (1966).
Trinkaus, J. P., and T. L. Lentz: Surface specializations of Fundulus cells and their relation to cell movements during gastrulation. J. Cell Biol. 32, 139–153 (1967).
Trump, B. F., P. J. Goldblatt, and R. E. Stowell: Studies of necrosis in vitro of mouse hepatic parenchymal cells. Ultrastructural alterations in endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, plasma membrane, and lipid droplets. Lab. Invest. 14, 2000–2027 (1965).
Vilar, O., M. I. Perez del Cerro, and R. E. Mancini: The Sertoli cell as a “bridge cell” between the basal membrane and the germinal cells. Exp. Cell Res. 27, 158–161 (1962).
Watson, M. L.: Staining of tissue sections for electron microscopy with heavy metals. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 4, 475–478 (1958).
Yamamoto, T.: On the thickness of the unit membrane. J. Cell Biol. 17, 413–421 (1963).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nicander, L. An electron microscopical study of cell contacts in the seminiferous tubules of some mammals. Zeitschrift für Zellforschung 83, 375–397 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00336866
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00336866