Immunolocalization of inhibin alpha-subunit in the human testis. A light- and electron-microscopy study

The localization of inhibin alpha-subunit in the human testis was studied at the light- and electron-microscope level with immunostaining techniques. Antibodies against specific fragments of porcine and human inhibin alpha-subunits were utilized. At light microscopy, inhibin alpha-subunit immunoreactivity was detected in Sertoli cells, spermatocytes and in some Leydig cells. At electron microscopy, gold labeling was found in the cisternae of the Golgi apparatus and in the endoplasmic reticulum of Sertoli and Leydig cells. Gold labeling for inhibin was also found in coated vesicles in the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells as well as in coated pits and coated vesicles in the cytoplasm of some spermatocytes. The results of the present study suggest that, in the human testis, inhibin is produced by Sertoli and Leydig cells and is taken up by spermatocytes, on which it might act in a paracrine manner.