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An electron microscopic study of cultured rat testicular fragments

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Summary

Fragments of testicular tissue of 26-day-old rats were grown as organ cultures during one to six weeks. Electron microscopic studies showed that these tissues can be maintained in vitro for prolonged periods of time, although the most differentiated elements (Leydig and spermatic cells other than spermatogonia) fail to continue their development and degenerate rather rapidly. The connective tissue structures preserve their usual architecture, but the basal membrane of the tubules appears extremely folded and detached from the epithelium. After four weeks in culture, spermatogonia without differentiating are still present, and among them the presence of a “more primitive” type is noted. Sertoli cells are well preserved and ultrastructurally they present the characteristics of the adult type. The possibility exists that differentiation of these two lines of cells may be achieved in vitro if the factors necessary for their growth and differentiation are recognized and incorporated in the culture system.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology and Reproduction, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Research Laboratories, Philadelphia, Pa.

    Oscar Vilar, Anna Steinberger & Emil Steinberger

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  1. Oscar Vilar
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  2. Anna Steinberger
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  3. Emil Steinberger
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Vilar, O., Steinberger, A. & Steinberger, E. An electron microscopic study of cultured rat testicular fragments. Z. Zellforsch. 78, 221–233 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00334764

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00334764

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