In the testis the mesenchymally derived peritubular cells produce a paracrine factor, PModS, that mediates mesenchymal-epithelial interactions and modulates Sertoli cell functions essential for the process of spermatogenesis. PModS has a more dramatic effect on Sertoli cell differentiated functions in vitro than any regulatory agent previously shown to influence the cells, including FSH. The cu...

Recently, we created a unique gain-of-function mouse model with Sertoli cell-specific transgenic androgen receptor expression (TgSCAR) showing that SCAR activity controls the synchronized postnatal development of somatic Sertoli and Leydig cells and meiotic-postmeiotic germ cells. Moderate TgSCAR (TgSCAR(m)) expression reduced testis size but had no effect on male fertility. Here, we reveal tha...

Though roles of β-catenin signaling during testis development have been well established, relatively little is known about its role in postnatal testicular physiology. Even less is known about its role in post-meiotic germ cell development and differentiation. Here, we report that β-catenin is highly expressed in post-meiotic germ cells and plays an important role during spermiogenesis in mice....

The mammalian blood-testis barrier (BTB) restructures throughout spermatogenesis, thereby allowing developing germ cells to enter the adluminal compartment of the seminiferous epithelium. Previous studies have shown pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interleukin-1α to be important regulators of Sertoli cell barrier/BTB function in vitro and in vivo. In this st...

The testicular vasculature forms a complex network, providing oxygenation, micronutrients, and waste clearance from the testis. The vasculature is also instrumental to testis function because it is both the route by which gonadotropins are delivered to the testis and by which T is transported away to target organs. Whether Sertoli cells play a role in regulating the testicular vasculature in po...

sertoli cells are an essential group of cells in seminiferous epithelium which provide nutritional and structural supports for spermatogenic cells via cell junctions. in this study, the gene expression of connexin-43, the most abundantly distributed gap junction protein of cells, was investigated in ram sertoli cells under mild and severe heat stresses with real-time quantitative pcr. sertoli c...

Sertoli cells, the primary somatic cell in the seminiferous epithelium, provide the spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) microenvironment (niche) through physical support and the expression of paracrine factors. However, the regulatory mechanisms within the SSC niche, which is primarily controlled by Sertoli cells, remain largely unknown. GATA4 is a Sertoli cell marker, involved in genital ridge init...

Testicular Sertoli cells protect pancreatic islet grafts from alloand autoimmune destruction; however, the mechanism(s) of protection is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine whether Fas ligand (FasL) and/ or transforming growth factor (TGF), immunoregulatory proteins produced by Sertoli cells, might mediate the protective effects of these cells against autoimmune destruction of islet...

Sertoli cell-only syndrome is defined by the complete absence of germ cells in testicular tissues and always results in male infertility. Germ cells give rise to next stages of spermatogenesis which is the process of sperm formation. They are normally attached to Sertoli cells forming together so called seminiferous tubules which form testicular tissue. If there are only Sertoli cells, then ​ n...