[Estrogens affect Sertoli cells and the blood-testis barrier in pubertal rats].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the correlation of exogenous estrogens with the expression of FasL in Sertoli cells and the blood-testis barrier during the differentiation and maturation period of Sertoli cells, and to discuss the related factors that influence the blood-testis barrier of pubertal rats.


METHODS
Super-physiological doses of exogenous estrogenic compounds (diethylstilbestrol and estradiol) were administered to pubertal Sprague-Dawley rats in vitro and in vivo, the FasL expression in the Sertoli cells of the rats detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot, and the changes in the blood-testis barrier observed with the electron microscope.


RESULTS
After the exposure to exogenous estrogens, the FasL expression was markedly up-regulated in the immature Sertoli cells (P < 0.05) as well as in the Sertoli cell membrane and the blood-testis barrier of the epithelium. The tracer lanthanum passed through the blood-testis barrier and reached the whole layer of the epithelium at 18 days.


CONCLUSIONS
Super-physiological dose of exogenous estrogens can change the expression and distribution of FasL in immature Sertoli cells and affect the structure of the blood-testis barrier.
Pan
Yi-Qing
YQ
Department of Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China. ssmu_pan@163.com
Guo
Qiang-Su
QS
Wang
Ru-Yao
RY
Xu
Chen
C
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001814:Blood-Testis Barrier / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
D004967:Estrogens; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein