[Organ cultures of mammalian testes. I. Adult mouse testis]

Organ cultures of adult normal mice testes have shown that the tubular structure is best preserved at 31 degrees C. With the simple anhormonal conditions we have used, the germ cells actively involved in meiosis disappear in ten days, following a stereotyped pattern. During the same time, Sertoli cells become enlarged, with a marked cytoplasmic vacuolisation. After 2 weeks in vitro, the seminiferous tubules are completely filled up with Sertoli cells and no more spermatocytes are recognized.