Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 22, 2026

Preparing T Cell Growth Factor from Rat Splenocytes
Published on: October 31, 2007
Transforming growth factor-alpha stimulates proliferation of rat Sertoli cells
C Petersen1, C Boitani, B Fröysa
1Department of Woman and Child Health, Karolinska Institute and Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. cecilia.petersen@kbh.ki.se
Abstract:
The number of Sertoli cells is positively correlated with the number of germ cells produced in the testis, but the regulation of Sertoli cell proliferation and final density is poorly understood. Using non-aggregated Sertoli cells from 8 to 9-day-old rat testes, highly enriched by lectin binding, we explored effects of Sertoli cell growth factor candidates in vitro. Proliferation was assessed by 3H-thymidine incorporation, bromodeoxyuridine labeling and supravital staining, and FSH was used as positive control. Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) was found to stimulate Sertoli cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and betacellulin mimicked the effect, demonstrating specificity of the response as they share receptors with TGF-alpha. Insulin-like growth factor I and II, acidic and basic fibroblast growth factor and stem cell factor lacked significant stimulatory effects. We conclude that EGF/TGF-alpha is a growth factor for Sertoli cells in vitro, possibly contributing to paracrine regulation of Sertoli cell proliferation in vivo.
Related Concept Videos
Spermatogenesis
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
TGF - β Signaling Pathway
Spermatogenesis
The process of spermatogenesis can be divided into mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. During mitosis, the spermatogonia or stem cells divide to produce two identical daughter cells, type A and B spermatogonia. Type-A...
Testosterone: Functions and Regulation

