Journal ArticleDOI
Changes in the distribution of microtubules and intermediate filaments in mammalian Sertoli cells during spermatogenesis.
S. Amlani,A. W. Vogl +1 more
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TLDR
The arrangement of microtubules was determined, by indirect immunofluorescence, in ground squirrel testes that were fixed, mechanically fragmented, and attached to polylysine‐coated slides, and fixed, embedded in polyethylene glycol, and sectioned.Abstract:
We have studied the distribution of microtubules and intermediate filaments in mammalian Sertoli cells during spermatogenesis. The arrangement of microtubules was determined, by indirect immunofluorescence, in ground squirrel testes that were 1) fixed, mechanically fragmented, and attached to polylysine-coated slides, and 2) fixed, embedded in polyethylene glycol, and sectioned. Intermediate filament patterns were determined, also by indirect immunofluorescence, in sections of unfixed rat testis. Results from these studies were confirmed and extended using electron microscopy. Microtubules first become evident in lateral processes that embrace round spermatids. When spermatids elongate and become situated in apical crypts of Sertoli cells, the microtubules become oriented parallel to the long axis of Sertoli cells and surround the crypts. As spermatids mature and acquire a saucer shape, apical microtubules progressively concentrate in Sertoli cell regions adjacent to the acrosome and eventually form discrete C-shaped structures that disappear during spermiation. Intermediate filaments in rat Sertoli cells are centered around the nucleus. From perinuclear regions, filaments extend toward desmosome-like junctions with early spermatogenic cells and into the apical cytoplasm where they have a transient association with crypts containing elongate spermatids. Filaments amongst crypts are most evident in early stages of the spermatogenic cycle when apical crypts are situated deep within the epithelium. They become less evident and eventually disappear as spermatids assume a more apical position. Our fluorescence studies and ultrastructural analyses indicate that the association of intermediate filaments with crypts is specific to regions adjacent to the dorsal or convex aspect of spermatid heads. In these regions, approximately 8 to 12 uniformly aligned filaments are intimately associated with actin filaments in ectoplasmic specializations surrounding the crypts. We conclude that, like actin, the distribution of microtubules and intermediate filaments changes in Sertoli cells during spermatogenesis. The distribution of microtubules correlates with the irregular columnar shape of Sertoli cells. We suspect that the apically situated intermediate filaments may play a role in anchoring or positioning Sertoli cell crypts deep within the epithelium during the early stages of the spermatogenic cycle.read more
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
Sertoli-Sertoli and Sertoli-Germ Cell Interactions and Their Significance in Germ Cell Movement in the Seminiferous Epithelium during Spermatogenesis
Dolores D. Mruk,C. Yan Cheng +1 more
TL;DR: This review focuses on the process by which a single spermatogonium develops into 256 spermatozoa, one of which will fertilize the ovum, and recaps recent developments in the field.
Journal ArticleDOI
The Mammalian Blood-Testis Barrier: Its Biology and Regulation
Dolores D. Mruk,C. Yan Cheng +1 more
TL;DR: The biology and regulation of the mammalian blood-testis barrier is reviewed and research areas that should be expanded in future studies are highlighted to create a unique microenvironment for the completion of meiosis and the subsequent development of spermatids into spermatozoa via spermiogenesis.
Book ChapterDOI
The Sertoli cell cytoskeleton.
TL;DR: Although the cytoskeleton of Sertoli cells has structural and functional properties common to cells generally, there are a number of properties that are unique and that appear related to processes fundamental to spermatogenesis and to interfacing somatic cells both with similar neighboring somatic Cells and with differentiating cells of the germ cell line.
Journal ArticleDOI
Unique and Multifunctional Adhesion Junctions in the Testis: Ectoplasmic Specializations
TL;DR: The structure and function of a unique type of actin-related intercellular adhesion junctions in the testis are reviewed and control, both of junction turnover and of microtubule-based transport, is identified as an important avenue for future research.
Journal ArticleDOI
Androgen Receptor in Sertoli Cell Is Essential for Germ Cell Nursery and Junctional Complex Formation in Mouse Testes
Ruey Sheng Wang,Ruey Sheng Wang,Shuyuan Yeh,Lu Min Chen,Lu Min Chen,Hung-Yun Lin,Caixia Zhang,Jing Ni,Cheng-Chia Wu,P. Anthony di Sant'Agnese,Karen L. DeMesy-Bentley,Chii Ruey Tzeng,Chawnshang Chang +12 more
TL;DR: To examine the role of androgen receptor (AR) in Sertoli cells (SC), a SC-specific AR knockout mouse was used and results showed an obvious duplication of basal lamina of the seminiferous epithelium in S-AR-/y testes at PD 50 compared with WT testes.
References
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