[Distribution of the intermediate filaments in rat Sertoli cells: an electron microscopic study]

The distribution of intermediate filaments (IFs) in the Sertoli cells of rat testis was studied under a transmission electron microscope. The results showed that IFs in Sertoli cells were centrally arranged around the nucleus in a criss-cross manner. From the perinuclear region the IFs had widespread extensions and were connected with the following structures: 1) with the mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum and other subcellular structures; 2) with the desmosome-like and hemi-desmosome-like junctions with adjacent Sertoli and spermatogenic cells; 3) with the microfilaments (MFs) in the ectoplasmic specialization (ES) surrounding the head of elongated stage I-V; spermatids; 4) with the MFs in ES between adjacent Sertoli cells. In conclusion, IFs form a delicate intracellular network in Sertoli cell with its center in the perinuclear region and stretching and connecting with many subcellular structures in the cytoplasm and cell membrane.