Paracrine control of Leydig cell activity by FSH dependent proteins from Sertoli cells: an in vitro study.
The regulating effect of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on Leydig cell function was studied using a model of immature porcine Leydig and Sertoli cells cultured in a hormone supplemented defined medium. FSH pretreatment for 2 days of Leydig cells cultured alone was with no effect. FSH pretreatment of Leydig cells cocultured with Sertoli cells increases Leydig cell activity in an FSH dose-dependent manner with a maximal effect observed at 50 ng/ml porcine FSH (pFSH). Leydig cells cultured for 2 days in conditioned medium (CM) by FSH stimulated (FSH-CM) Sertoli cells, as compared to CM by unstimulated (control) (C-CM) Sertoli cells show an increase of their activity with a maximal effect observed at 50 ng/ml pFSH. Leydig cells cultured in CM as compared to non CM, show a marked development of organelles (smooth endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria) involved in the steroidogenic activity. The activity of FSH-CM as compared to C-CM on Leydig cell function was non dialyzable and trypsin sensitive. These data suggest that Sertoli cells exert a regulatory action on Leydig cell steroidogenic activity via FSH dependent secreted proteins.
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D003470:Culture Media; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D011506:Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D013552:Swine; D013739:Testosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D003470:Culture Media; D011506:Proteins; D013739:Testosterone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone