Sertoli cells are required for normal spermatogenesis and they can be reprogrammed to other types of functional cells. However, the number of primary Sertoli cells is rare and human Sertoli cell line is unavailable. In this study, we have for the first time reported a stable human Sertoli cell line, namely hS1 cells, by overexpression of human telomerase. The hS1 cells expressed a number of hal...

Post-natal testicular development is dependent on gonadotrophin and androgen stimulation. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) acts through receptors (FSHR) on the Sertoli cell to stimulate spermatogenesis while androgens promote testis growth through receptors (AR) on the Sertoli cells, Leydig cells and peritubular myoid cells. In this study we have examined the effects on testis development of ...

Sertoli cells are immune privileged cells, important for controlling the immune response to male germ cells as well as maintaining the tolerogenic environment in the testis. Additionally, ectopic Sertoli cells have been shown to survive and protect co-grafted cells when transplanted across immunological barriers. The survival of ectopic Sertoli cells has led to the idea that they could be used ...

One of the major proteins secreted by Sertoli cells (Band 3) has a molecular weight on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels which corresponds to rat serum transferrin. The preparation of Sertoli cell-secreted proteins contains an iron-binding protein with electrophoretic properties on native polyacrylamide gels similar to serum transferrin. Antibodies against Sertoli cell-secreted protein...

The receptors for the steroid hormone testosterone and the peptide hormone follicle-stimulating hormone are localized to the somatic Sertoli cell in the seminiferous epithelium. In the rat, prolonged gonadotrophic hormone withdrawal has been shown to result in substantial germ cell apoptosis. Previous studies have shown that, coincident with the loss of germ cells following hypophysectomy, the ...

The FSH receptor (FSHR) is expressed only in granulosa cells of the ovary and Sertoli cells of the testis. This highly specific pattern of gene expression asserts that transcriptional events unique to these two cell types are responsible for activation of the FSHR gene. We have characterized the promoter elements required for activity of the rat FSHR gene in a Sertoli cell line MSC-1, primary c...

STUDY QUESTION Can human Sertoli cells cultured in vitro and that have formed an epithelium be used as a model to monitor toxicant-induced junction disruption and to better understand the mechanism(s) by which toxicants disrupt cell adhesion at the Sertoli cell blood-testis barrier (BTB)? SUMMARY ANSWER Our findings illustrate that human Sertoli cells cultured in vitro serve as a reliable sys...

Changes in Sertoli cell numbers and testicular structure during normal development and compensatory hypertrophy were assessed in crossbred Meishan x White Composite males. Boars were assigned at birth to unilateral castration at 1, 10, 56, or 112 days or to remain as intact controls through 220 days. The first testes removed were compared to assess testicular development. At 220 days, testicula...

The Sertoli cell is a highly differentiated somatic cell in the seminiferous epithelium of the testis. This cell is of prime importance for both testicular development and spermatogenesis. Sertoli cells proliferate up to the start of puberty and, due to their nursing functions, the final Sertoli cell number is well correlated to the amount of germ cells produced by the adult testis. The physiol...

Sertoli cell tumor, also termed androblastoma or gonadal stromal tumor, is a rare testicular neoplasm. While it is usually benign, 25 cases of malignant Sertoli cell tumors have been reported.'" These neoplasms vary greatly in microscopic appearance and unfortunately they have aggressive metastatic behavior. Despite various treatments, the prognosis remains poor. We report on the fourth prepube...