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Testicular plasminogen activators during postnatal development in the rat.
Acta Endocrinologica
|July 1, 1986
Summary
Plasminogen activator (PA) secretion in seminiferous tubules begins around 28 days and peaks during specific stages of spermatogenesis. Urokinase-type PA is primarily responsible for increased PA levels during meiosis.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Cell Biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Sertoli cells in seminiferous epithelium secrete plasminogen activator (PA).
- Follicle stimulating hormone, cyclic AMP, and spermatogenic cells regulate PA secretion.
- Preleptotene spermatocytes may be key regulators of PA secretion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of PA in seminiferous tubules.
- To analyze endogenous PA levels and secretion rates during postnatal development.
- To biochemically characterize PA types in the testis and spent media.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of PA levels and secretion rates at various postnatal ages.
- Biochemical analysis of PA types in testicular homogenates.
- Culturing of seminiferous tubules to assess spent media.
Main Results:
- Cyclic PA secretion initiated at 28 days of age.
- High PA secretion rates localized to stages VII and VIII from 40 days onwards.
- Secreted PA is predominantly urokinase-type, with both urokinase-type and tissue-type PA-like activities detected.
Conclusions:
- Testicular PA levels increase with the onset of meiosis.
- This increase is attributed to urokinase-type PA-like activity.
- PA plays a significant role in the dynamic processes of the seminiferous epithelium during development.