Antioxidant system in rat testicular cells.
The activity of the enzymes involved in the antioxidant defence--superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reductase (GR), S-transferase (GST)--as well as the glutathione (GSH) levels were measured in different rat testicular cell populations. A differential distribution of these components among testicular cell types was clearly observed. Sertoli and peritubular cells had elevated SOD and GSH-dependent enzyme activities associated with a high GSH content. Compared with the somatic cells, pachytene spermatocytes (PS) and round spermatids (RS) presented a different antioxidant system characterized by higher SOD activity and GSH content associated with very low GSH-dependent enzyme activity. Spermatozoa exhibited the same enzymatic system as PS and RS but were devoid of GSH. Interstitial tissue displayed high GSH content, moderate SOD and GSH-related enzyme activity except for GPx which was very elevated. It is concluded that the different categories of testicular cells probably display a highly variable susceptibility to oxidative stress.
Bauché
F
F
GERM, INSERM CJF 91-04, Université de Rennes I, Bretagne, France.
Fouchard
M H
MH
Jégou
B
B
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005978:Glutathione / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000032:analysis*; D013737:Testis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D000975:Antioxidants; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005978:Glutathione