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Adult rat Sertoli cells secrete a factor or factors which modulate Leydig cell function
V Papadopoulos1, P Kamtchouing, M A Drosdowsky
1Department of Biochemistry, GS-CNRS 79, CHU Côte de Nacre, Caen, France.
The Journal of Endocrinology
|September 1, 1987
Summary
Sertoli cells secrete a protein factor that enhances Leydig cell steroid production. This factor, distinct from LHRH, modulates testosterone and estradiol-17 beta synthesis in rats.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Reproductive Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Leydig cells produce testosterone and estradiol-17 beta, crucial for male reproductive functions.
- Luteinizing hormone (LH) and cyclic AMP (cAMP) are known stimulators of Leydig cell steroidogenesis.
- The role of Sertoli cells and their secreted factors in modulating Leydig cell function requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of factors secreted by rat seminiferous tubules and Sertoli cells on Leydig cell steroid production.
- To characterize the nature and mechanism of action of any identified stimulating factors.
Main Methods:
- Purified adult rat Leydig cells were cultured with spent medium from various rat seminiferous tubule and Sertoli cell cultures.
- Steroid output (testosterone and estradiol-17 beta) and intracellular cAMP levels were measured.
- Characterization of the stimulating factor included assessing its protein nature, molecular weight, and dependence on protein synthesis.
Main Results:
- Spent medium from seminiferous tubule and Sertoli cell cultures significantly enhanced both basal and LH-stimulated testosterone and estradiol-17 beta production by Leydig cells.
- A decrease in intracellular cAMP levels was observed concurrently with enhanced steroidogenesis.
- The stimulating factor was identified as proteinic, with a molecular weight between 10,000-50,000, and its synthesis was independent of FSH and testosterone.
- Testosterone production required the factor but not new protein synthesis, while estradiol-17 beta production did.
Conclusions:
- Sertoli cells secrete a protein factor that positively modulates Leydig cell steroidogenesis.
- This factor acts downstream of adenylate cyclase and influences both testosterone and estradiol-17 beta production through differential mechanisms.
- Germ cell-Sertoli cell interactions are critical for regulating the synthesis of this steroidogenic modulatory factor.