Study in vitro of the phagocytic function of Sertoli cells in the rat.
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 (greater than 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.
Pineau
C
C
Groupe d'Etude de la Reproduction chez le Mâle (G.E.R.M), Université de Rennes I, UA CNRS 256, Rennes, France.
Le Magueresse
B
B
Courtens
J L
JL
Jégou
B
B
D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013087:Spermatids / Q000502:physiology*
D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone