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FSH does not directly influence testicular macrophages
A M Carpenter1, Y O Lukyanenko, V H Lee
1Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock 79430, USA.
Journal of Andrology
|September 11, 1998
Summary
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) does not directly regulate testicular macrophage-derived factors that stimulate Leydig cells. Macrophages lack FSH receptor mRNA, indicating they are not a direct target for FSH in testosterone production.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Cell Biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Testicular macrophages secrete factors that stimulate Leydig cell testosterone production.
- Previous reports suggested follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) enhances this activity, but findings were inconsistent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if FSH regulates the production of the macrophage-derived factor (MDF) that stimulates Leydig cells.
- To determine if testicular macrophages express messenger RNA (mRNA) for the FSH receptor.
Main Methods:
- Testicular macrophages were incubated with FSH, serum, or dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate.
- Macrophage-derived factor (MDF) was purified and tested for Leydig cell-stimulating activity.
- FSH receptor mRNA levels in macrophages were assessed using in situ hybridization and northern analysis.
Main Results:
- Serum significantly stimulated MDF production, but FSH did not affect MDF levels.
- Dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate showed a slight inhibitory effect on MDF production.
- Testicular macrophages lacked detectable FSH receptor mRNA, unlike Sertoli cells.
Conclusions:
- Testicular macrophages are not a direct target for FSH.
- FSH does not appear to regulate the production of macrophage-derived factors involved in Leydig cell stimulation.