Pituitary hormones inhibit the function and differentiation of fetal Sertoli cells.
Although the role of pituitary hormones in fetal Sertoli cell proliferation is well understood, their involvement in fetal Sertoli cell differentiation is poorly documented. In this study, we evaluated rat fetal Sertoli cell function by measuring basal transferrin secretion ex vivo and transferrin and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) mRNA levels in vivo. The differentiation state of the Sertoli cells was estimated from the amount of transferrin secreted ex vivo after acute stimulation with FSH. Surprisingly, we found that the amount of transferrin secreted by each Sertoli cell in basal condition and after acute FSH stimulation decreased between 18.5 and 21.5 day post coitum (dpc), which corresponds to the onset of pituitary hormone secretion. All of the Sertoli cell parameters measured (basal and FSH-stimulated transferrin secretion ex vivo, transferrin and AMH mRNA levels in vivo) were higher in 21.5-dpc fetuses that had been decapitated on 16.5 dpc than in control littermates. Furthermore, immunostaining for AMH was strongly increased after decapitation. Taken together, these results suggest that pituitary hormones in the fetus and in the immature or adult rat differently regulate Sertoli cells, which suggests that fetal Sertoli cells have their own particular physiology.
Functional Differentiation of Gonads Laboratory, Gametogenesis and Genotoxicity Unit, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U566-Commissariat á l'Energie Atomique-Université Paris 7, 92265 Fontenay aux Roses, France.
Stéphanie
S
Migrenne
Chrystèle
C
Racine
Florian
F
Guillou
René
R
Habert
D000818:Animals; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone; D015415:Biomarkers; D001835:Body Weight; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000166:cytology; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005865:Gestational Age; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000235:genetics; D006257:Head; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D013735:Testicular Hormones / Q000235:genetics; D014168:Transferrin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D015415:Biomarkers; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D013735:Testicular Hormones; D014168:Transferrin; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone