Document Detail


Activin stimulates spermatogonial proliferation in germ-Sertoli cell cocultures from immature rat testis.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  2249646     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Activin and inhibin are peptide hormones produced in the gonads which may act as autocrine and/or paracrine regulators of testicular function. Sertoli cells produce inhibin, and it has recently been shown that Leydig cells can produce activin in vitro. To further explore the local actions of activin and inhibin in the testis, Sertoli and germ cells were isolated from immature rats and cocultured in vitro. In these cultures we demonstrate that activin A and activin B, but not inhibin A, stimulated spermatogonial proliferation in vitro. Activin increased [3H]thymidine incorporation 2- to 4-fold in cocultures after 48-72 h of treatment. Using autoradiography, the label was localized in the clusters of spermatogonia adhering to the Sertoli cell monolayer. Additionally, activin stimulated a reaggregation of the cultures into tubule-like structures. Fluorescence-activated cytometry was used to analyze the cell population based on size, DNA content, and lipid content. Sertoli cells were identified using Nile Red staining of intracellular lipid droplets; spermatogonia are Nile Red-negative. Activin treatment caused a marked increase in the fraction of Nile Red-negative cells in the cocultures. Activin also caused an increase in the percentage of these cells having 4C DNA. Lastly, specific binding of activin A to 2C, but not 4C, germ cells was demonstrated. These data demonstrate that activin acts as a regulator of spermatogonial proliferation in the male.
Authors:
J P Mather; K M Attie; T K Woodruff; G C Rice; D M Phillips
Related Documents :
2272896 - Involution of human fetal leydig cells. an immunohistochemical, ultrastructural and qua...
8305206 - Identification of receptor tyrosine kinases in the rat testis.
1793606 - Preparation of spermatogenic cell populations at specific stages of differentiation in ...
1804126 - Role of prolactin on leydig, sertoli and germ cellular neutral lipids in bonnet monkeys...
12543976 - The cellular and molecular origins of beak morphology.
7199546 - Oscillation of cell surface charge of human peripheral blood lymphocytes after stimulat...
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Endocrinology     Volume:  127     ISSN:  0013-7227     ISO Abbreviation:  Endocrinology     Publication Date:  1990 Dec 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1991-01-17     Completed Date:  1991-01-17     Revised Date:  2004-11-17    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0375040     Medline TA:  Endocrinology     Country:  UNITED STATES    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  3206-14     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Cell Culture Research and Development, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080.
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Activins
Animals
Cell Communication
Cell Division / drug effects
Cells, Cultured
DNA Replication / drug effects
Flow Cytometry
Inhibins / pharmacology*
Male
Microscopy, Electron
Rats
Rats, Inbred Strains
Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology
Sertoli Cells / drug effects,  physiology*,  ultrastructure
Sexual Maturation
Spermatogonia / cytology*,  drug effects,  ultrastructure
Testis / drug effects,  physiology*,  ultrastructure
Thymidine / metabolism
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Recombinant Proteins; 104625-48-1/Activins; 50-89-5/Thymidine; 57285-09-3/Inhibins

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  In vivo and in vitro effects of a cyclopropenoid fatty acid on ovine corpus luteum function.
Next Document:  Postnatal growth of mouse seminal vesicle is dependent on 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone.