Effect of increasing glucose concentrations on Sertoli cell viability in the nonobese diabetic mouse

Spermatogenesis is severely altered in the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse in the presence of diabetes. When insulin is administered early in the development of diabetic changes, blunting of the testicular damage results, suggesting a direct causal effect of hyperglycemia on the testicular alterations. In view of the key role of Sertoli cells in supporting spermatogenic maturation, it has been speculated that the testicular damage may be mediated via Sertoli cell effects. The present study utilized Sertoli cell cultures to test the effects of different glucose levels on cellular viability. Sertoli cells from NOD and control mice were able to survive at glucose concentrations up to 38 mM, when maintained in culture at constant pH. With higher concentrations, there was a progressive loss of viability, comparable in the test and control animals. Further studies will be needed to determine the specific effect of hyperglycemia on Sertoli cells and the association with spermatogenic alterations in the NOD mouse.