title: Estrogens potentiate the stimulatory effects of follicle-stimulating hormone on N-cadherin messenger ribonucleic acid levels in cultured mouse Sertoli cells.
abstract: Gonadal steroids and FSH are key regulators of Sertoli cell function. N-Cadherin (N-cad) is a calcium-dependent cell adhesion molecule that mediates Sertoli cell-germ cell interactions. We recently demonstrated that steroids, in particular estradiol, are potent regulators of testicular N-cad messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in vivo. In view of the cooperative effects of steroids and FSH on Sertoli cell-germ cell interactions, we examined the combined effects of these hormones on N-cad mRNA levels in cultured mouse Sertoli cells. FSH was capable of increasing N-cad mRNA levels 2-fold in these cells. The effects of FSH on N-cad mRNA levels in cultured Sertoli cells were mimicked by cAMP-inducing agents. Treatment of the Sertoli cell cultures with FSH and estradiol stimulated N-cad mRNA levels 3-fold, whereas steroids alone had no effect on N-cad mRNA levels. These studies demonstrate that FSH and estradiol in combination are required to achieve maximal N-cad mRNA levels in cultured Sertoli cells. The results obtained from these studies substantiate the hypothesis that estrogens play a pivotal role in regulating spermatogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, McGill University, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: MacCalman
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Getsios
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Farookhi
authors.forename: O W
authors.initials: OW
authors.lastname: Blaschuk
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015820:Cadherins / Q000235:genetics*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015820:Cadherins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D004958:Estradiol; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone