title: Telocytes: novel interstitial cells present in the testis parenchyma of the Chinese soft-shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis.
abstract: Telocytes (TCs) are novel interstitial cells that have been found in various organs, but the existence of TCs in the testes has not yet been reported. The present ultrastructural and immunohistochemical study revealed the existence of TCs and differentiate these cells from the peritubular cells (Pc) in contact with the surrounding structures in the testes. Firstly, our results confirmed the existence of two cell types surrounding seminiferous tubules; these were Pc (smooth muscle like characteristics) and TCs (as an outer layer around Pc). Telocytes and their long thin prolongations called telopodes (Tps) were detected as alternations of thin segments (podomers) and thick bead-like portions (podoms), the latter of which accommodate the mitochondria and vesicles. The spindle and irregularly shaped cell bodies were observed with small amounts of cytoplasm around them. In contrast, the processes of Pc contained abundant actin filaments with focal densities, irregular spine-like outgrowths and nuclei that exhibited irregularities similar to those of smooth muscle cells. The TCs connected with each other via homocellular and heterocellular junctions with Pc, Leydig cells and blood vessels. The Tps of the vascular TCs had bands and shed more vesicles than the other TCs. Immunohistochemistry (CD34) revealed strong positive expression within the TC cell bodies and Tps. Our data confirmed the existence and the contact of TCs with their surroundings in the testes of the Chinese soft-shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis, which may offer new insights for understanding the function of the testes and preventing and treating testicular disorders.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Nisar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Yufei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hunag
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Shakeeb
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ullah
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Yasir
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Waqas
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Quanfu
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Lisi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Qiusheng
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D000067170:Telocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000067617:Telopodes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014426:Turtles / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018952:Antigens, CD34
keywords: CD34; Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis); telocytes; testes; ultrastructure