Proliferation and cord formation by embryonic Sertoli cells are pivotal events involved in testis morphogenesis. A number of growth factors have been implicated in mediating these events. However, the exact level of involvement and importance of each as yet remains elusive. We have adopted an in vitro approach to assess developing mouse Sertoli cells, whereby they are cultured in the presence o...

Although many genes are expressed selectively in Sertoli cells, regulatory sequences sufficient to drive Sertoli cell-specific expression in the postnatal and adult testis in vivo have not been identified. In the present study, we identified promoter sequences from the Pem homeobox gene that direct Sertoli cell-specific expression in an androgen-dependent and stage-specific manner. Immunohistoc...

In mammals, the supporting cell lineage in an embryonic gonad communicates the sex-determining decision to various sexually dimorphic cell types in the developing embryo, including the germ cells. However, the molecular nature of the sex-determining signals that pass from the supporting cells to the germ cells is not well understood. We have identified a conserved transmembrane protein, Sdmg1, ...

The present study was designed to investigate the hypothesis that in vivo entosis is a novel pathway for eliminating spermatozoa in the seminiferous tubules (ST) during hibernation of the Chinese soft-shelled turtle. Western blot analysis revealed that the expression of LAMP1 in the testis was significantly higher during hibernation than that during non-hibernation. Immunohistochemistry reactio...

SRY, a sex-determining gene, induces testis development in chromosomally female (XX) individuals. However, mouse XX Sertoli cells carrying Sry (XX/Sry Sertoli cells) are incapable of fully supporting germ cell development, even when the karyotype of the germ cells is XY. While it has therefore been assumed that XX/Sry Sertoli cells are not functionally equivalent to XY Sertoli cells, it has rem...

The aim of the present study was to investigate the changes in selected biochemical variables in Sertoli cells isolated from testis of mice (PEPCK-bGH) overexpressing growth hormone. Significant increase in the levels of total proteins (108.33%; p<0.001), lactic acid (95.23%; p<0.001), DNA (155.42%; p<0.001) and RNA (90.00%; p<0.001) were observed in transgenic Sertoli cells as compared to norm...

OBJECTIVE(S) Sertoli cells support in vivo germ cell production; but, its exact mechanism has not been well understood. The present study was designed to analyze the effect of Sertoli cells in differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) to germ cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS A fusion construct composed of a Stra8 gene promoter and the coding region of enhanced green fluorescence prote...

Androgens act to stimulate spermatogenesis through androgen receptors (ARs) on the Sertoli cells and peritubular myoid cells. Specific ablation of the AR in either cell type will cause a severe disruption of spermatogenesis. To determine whether androgens can stimulate spermatogenesis through direct action on the peritubular myoid cells alone or whether action on the Sertoli cells is essential,...

The immunohistochemical localization of actin, vimentin and tubulin in adult ovine and bovine seminiferous tubules was studied at both the light and electron microscopical levels, using an improved methodical protocol. alpha-smooth muscle actin and structural F-actin were found to be present in myoid peritubular cells. Structural F-actin also occurs in Sertoli cells at three localizations; 1) A...

BACKGROUND Germ cell elimination and sperm DNA fragmentation in men with primary testiculopathies involve apoptosis-related processes whose mechanisms are poorly understood. This study examines the participation of typical (caspase-dependent) and atypical (caspase-independent) pathways in these processes. METHODS Caspase activity and DNA fragmentation were evaluated in Sertoli and germ cells ...