Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Study in vitro of the phagocytic function of Sertoli cells in the rat

  • Published:
Cell and Tissue Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Aspects of the interaction between residual bodies/cytoplasts from elongated spermatids (RB/CES) and Sertoli cells were studied in vitro. Highly enriched Sertoli cells (91%; experiment A), very highly enriched Sertoli cells (>96%; experiment B), as well as peritubular cells were isolated from testes of 20-day-old rats by means of hypotonic treatment. Isolated Sertoli cells and peritubular cells were also prepared from 45-day-old rats (experiment C). RB/CES were isolated by centrifugal elutriation from testes of rats aged 90–120 days. The kinetics of adhesion of RB/CES to Sertoli cells were similar in all experiments. FSH accelerated binding of RB/CES but markedly reduced the number of RB/CES phagocytosed. Co-culture of the highly enriched Sertoli cells from experiments A and C with isolated peritubular cells did not change the kinetics of adhesion of RB/CES. However, when the contamination of Sertoli cells by peritubular cells was at a minimum (experiment B), addition of peritubular cells induced a slight but significant stimulation of the binding of RB/CES. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the following events within 24 h of co-culture: adhesion of the RB/CES to microvilli of Sertoli cells; internalization of RB/CES; lysis of the membrane of RB/CES; total digestion. Therefore, FSH and peritubular cells modulate the interaction in vitro between Sertoli cells and RB/CES, and the different steps of residual body disposal can be reproduced in co-culture. The co-culture model described in this study provides a useful system for the study of phagocytic activity by Sertoli cells.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Breucker M, Schäfer E, Holstein AF (1985) Morphogenesis and fate of the residual body in human spermiogenesis. Cell Tissue Res 240:303–309

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapin RE, Phelps JL, Miller BE, Gray TJB (1987) Alkaline phosphatase histochemistry discriminates peritubular cells in primary rat testicular cell culture. J Androl 8:155–161

    Google Scholar 

  • Chemes H (1986) The phagocytic function of Sertoli cells: a morphological, biochemical, and endocrinological study of lysosomes and acid phosphatase localization in the rat testis. Endocrinology 119:1673–1681

    Google Scholar 

  • Fawcett DW (1975) Ultrastructure and function of the Sertoli cell. In: Hamilton DW, Greep RO (eds) Handbook of physiology, section 7. Endocrinology 5:21–55

  • Firlit CF, Davis JR (1965) Morphogenesis of the residual body of the mouse testis. Q J Micro Sci 106:93–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Fouquet JP (1974) Spermiation et formation des corps résiduels chez le hamster: rôle des cellules de Sertoli. J Microscopie 19:161–168

    Google Scholar 

  • Galdieri M, Ziparo E, Palombi F, Russo MA, Stefanini M (1981) Pure Sertoli cell cultures: a new model for the study of somaticgerm cell interactions. J Androl 5:249–259

    Google Scholar 

  • Gunsalus GL, Musto NA, Bardin CW (1978) Factors affecting blood levels of androgen binding protein in the rat. In: Hansson V, Ritzèn EM, French FS (eds) Endocrine approach to male contraception. Int J Androl [Suppl] 2:482–493

  • Holstein AF (1976) Ultrastructural observations on the differentiation of spermatids in man. Andrologia 8:157–165

    Google Scholar 

  • Jégou B, Le Gac F, Kretser DM de (1982) Study on tubule fluid and interstitial fluid production. Effect of age and hormonal regulation in immature rats. Biol Reprod 27:590–595

    Google Scholar 

  • Knorr DW, Vanha-Pertulla T, Lipsett MB (1970) Structure and function of the rat testis through pubescence. Endocrinology 86:1298–1304

    Google Scholar 

  • Kretser DM de, Kerr JB (1988) The cytology of the testis. In: Knobil E, Neill JD (eds) The physiology of reproduction. Raven Press, New York, pp 837–932

    Google Scholar 

  • Lacroix M, Smith FE, Fritz IB (1977) Secretion of plasminogen activator by Sertoli cell enriched cultures. Mol Cell Endocrinol 9:227–236

    Google Scholar 

  • Lacy D (1960) Light and electron microscopy and its use in the study of factors influencing spermatogenesis in the rat. J R Microsc Soc 79:209–225

    Google Scholar 

  • Lacy D (1967) The seminiferous tubule in mammals. Endeavour 26:101–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Leblond CP, Clermont Y (1952) Definition of the stages of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium in the rat. Ann NY Acad Sci 55:548–573

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Magueresse B, Jégou B (1988a) Paracrine control of immature Sertoli cells by adult germ cells, in the rat (an in vitro study). Mol Cell Endocrinol 58:65–72

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Magueresse B, Jégou B (1988b) In vitro effects of germ cells on the secretory activity of Sertoli cells recovered from rats of different ages. Endocrinology 122:1672–1680

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Magueresse B, Le Gac F, Loir M, Jégou B (1986) Stimulation of rat Sertoli cell secretory activity in vitro by germ cells and residual bodies. J Reprod Fertil 77:489–498

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Magueresse B, Courtens JL, Jégou B (1988a) Residual body —Sertoli cell interactions in vitro. 5th European workshop on molecular and cellular endocrinology of the testis, 13–16th April. Brighton, UK (Minoposter F24)

  • Le Magueresse B, Courtens JL, Pineau C, Jégou B (1988b) In vitro study of the phagocytic function of Sertoli cells. 10th Testis workshop “Regulation of testicular function”. Baltimore, 8–11 December 1988

  • Loir M (1970) Introduction à l'étude des métabolismes de l'acide ribonucléique et des protéines dans les spermatocytes et les spermatides du bélier (Ovis aries). Thèse de 3eme cycle. Université de Caen

  • Mather JP, Phillips DM (1984) Primary culture of testicular somatic cells. In: Barnes DW, Sirbasku DA, Sato GH (eds) Methods for serum free culture of cells of the endocrine system. Liss, New York, pp 29–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Maximov A (1899) Die histologischen Vorgänge bei der Heilung von Hodenverletzungen und die Regenerationsfähigkeit des Hodengewebes. Beitr Pathol Anat 26:230–319

    Google Scholar 

  • Meistrich ML, Longtin J, Brock WA, Grimes SR, Mace ML (1981) Purification of rat spermatogenic cells and preliminary biochemical analysis of these cells. Biol Reprod 25:1065–1077

    Google Scholar 

  • Morales C, Clermont Y, Hermo L (1985) Nature and function of endocytosis in Sertoli cells of the rat. Am J Anat 173:203–217

    Google Scholar 

  • Morales C, Clermont Y, Nadler NJ (1986) Cyclic endocytic activity and kinetics of lysosomes in Sertoli cells of the rat: a morphometric analysis. Biol Reprod 34:207–218

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicander L (1967) An electron microscopical study of cell contacts in the seminiferous tubules of some mammals. Z Zellforsch 83:375–397

    Google Scholar 

  • Parvinen M (1982) Regulation of the seminiferous epithelium. Endocr Rev 3:404–417

    Google Scholar 

  • Regaud C (1901) Etudes sur la structure des tubes séminifères et sur la spermatogenèse chez les mammifères. Arch Anat Microsc Morphol Exp 4:101–156, 231-380

    Google Scholar 

  • Roosen-Runge EC (1952) Kinetics of spermatogenesis in mammals. Ann NY Acad Sci 55:574–584

    Google Scholar 

  • Russell LD (1979a) Further observations on tubulobulbar complexes formed by late spermatids and Sertoli cells in the rat testis. Anat Rec 194:213–232

    Google Scholar 

  • Russell LD (1979b) Spermatid-Sertoli tubulobulbar complexes as devices for elimination of cytoplasm from the head region of late spermatids of the rat. Anat Rec 194:233–246

    Google Scholar 

  • Russell LD (1984) Spermiation — The sperm release process: ultrastructural observations and unresolved problems. In: Berklom J van, Motta PM (eds) Ultrastructure of reproduction. Gametogenesis, fertilization, and embryogenesis. Martinus Nijhoff, The Hague Dordrecht Lancaster, Boston, pp 46–66

    Google Scholar 

  • Sapsford CS, Rae CA, Cleland KW (1969) The fate of residual bodies and degenerating germ cells and the lipid cycle in Sertoli cells in the bandicoot Perameles nasuta Geoffroy (Marsupiala). Aust J Zool 17:729–753

    Google Scholar 

  • Skinner MK, Griswold MD (1980) Sertoli cells synthesize and secrete transferrin-like protein. J Biol Chem 255:9523–9525

    Google Scholar 

  • Skinner MK, Fritz IB (1985) Testicular peritubular cells secrete a protein under androgen control that modulates Sertoli cell functions. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 82:114–118

    Google Scholar 

  • Spruill WA, White MG, Steiner AL, Tres LL, Kierszenbaum AL (1981) Temporal sequence of cell shape changes in cultured rat Sertoli cells after experimental elevation of intracellular cAMP. Exp Cell Res 131:131–148

    Google Scholar 

  • Tung PS, Fritz IB (1980) Interactions of Sertoli cells with myoid cells in vitro. Biol Reprod 23:207–217

    Google Scholar 

  • Vitale-Calpe R, Fawcett DW, Dym M (1973) The normal development of the blood testis barrier and the effects of clomiphene and oestrogen treatment. Anat Rec 176:333–344

    Google Scholar 

  • Von Ebner H (1888) Zur Spermatogenese bei den Säugetieren. Arch Mikrobiol Anat 31:236–247

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagle JR, Heindel JJ, Steinberger A, Sanborn BM (1986) Effect of hypotonic treatment on Sertoli cell purity and function in culture. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol 22:325

    Google Scholar 

  • Ziparo E, Bertalot G, Filippini A, Russo MA, Stefanini M (1986) Phagocytic characteristics of Sertoli cells in vitro. In: Stefanini M, Conti M, Geremia R, Ziparo E (eds) Molecular and cellular endocrinology of the testis. Elsevier, Amsterdam New York, pp 151–155

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Groupe d'Etude de la Reproduction chez le Mâle (G.E.R.M.), Université de Rennes I, UA CNRS 256, Campus de Beaulieu, F-35042, Rennes Cedex, France

    Charles Pineau, Brigitte Le Magueresse & Bernard Jégou

  2. Physiologie de la Reproduction, INRA, F-37380, Monnaie, France

    Jean-Luc Courtens

Authors
  1. Charles Pineau
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Brigitte Le Magueresse
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jean-Luc Courtens
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Bernard Jégou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pineau, C., Le Magueresse, B., Courtens, JL. et al. Study in vitro of the phagocytic function of Sertoli cells in the rat. Cell Tissue Res 264, 589–598 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00319048

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00319048

Key words

Search

Navigation