Influence of thyroid hormone on Sertoli cell protein metabolism in the prepubertal pig.
In order to better understand the role of thyroid hormones in testis development, the influence of tri-iodothyronine on protein metabolism of immature pig Sertoli cells has been investigated. Sertoli cells were isolated enzymatically from 2- to 3-week-old piglet testes and cultured in the presence or absence of tri-iodothyronine. Protein labelling was evaluated in Sertoli cell monolayers incubated in medium containing a tracer dose of [3H]leucine. The results demonstrate that thyroid hormone can directly stimulate the process of protein synthesis in immature porcine Sertoli cells, without significantly affecting the protein degradation rate; moreover thyroid hormone exposure results in a significant decrease of intracellular ATP level. The evidence that tri-iodothyronine can increase Sertoli cell protein synthesis, supplies additional evidence about the fundamental role of thyroid hormone in the regulation of growth and differentiation of the mammalian testis through a direct action on the Sertoli cells.
Palmero
S
S
Istituto di Fisiologia Generale, Università degli Studi di Genova.
Bardi
G
G
Bolla
F
F
Fugassa
E
E
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000502:physiology*; D013552:Swine; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*
D011506:Proteins; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate