Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

An ultrastructural and morphometric analysis of the Sertoli cell during the spermatogenic cycle of the rat

  • Original Articles
  • Published:
Anatomy and Embryology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The ultrastructure of Sertoli cells from selected stages of the spermatogenic cycle was assessed by morphometric analysis which showed significant changes in the morphological features of Sertoli cell cytoplasm at the commencement of the cycle (stage II) compared to the middle (stages VII-VIII) and the completion of the cycle (stages IX-XIV). Total volume and surface area of organelles (rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum (ER), lysosomes, mitochondria and Golgi) exhibited stage-dependent and cyclic variations as did the total surface area of Sertoli cell plasma membrane. Polarization of cytoplasmic organelles to basal or columnar regions of the Sertoli cell, exhibited particularly by the Golgi, rough ER and lysosomes also showed marked cyclic fluctuations during the spermatogenic cycle. Rough and smooth ER exhibited the most dramatic stage-dependent changes in total volume and surface area the former being respectively largest and smallest in stages VII-VIII and XIII-XIV, the latter organelle presenting the reverse pattern in these two groups of stages. Similar stage-dependent alterations of lysosome volume and surface area were also noted, being maximal during stages XIII-XIV-II and reaching a nadir at stage VIII. Although the functional role of most Sertoli cell organelles and inclusions remain largely unknown, the present study suggests that the cyclic and stage-dependent variations in ultrastructure probably reflect major changes in Sertoli cell function necessary for the regulation of the spermatogenic cycle.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bartlett JMS, Kerr JB, Sharpe RM (1986) The effect of selective destruction and regeneration of rat Leydig cells on the intratesticular distribution of testosterone and morphology of the seminiferous epithelium. J Androl 7:240–253

    Google Scholar 

  • Bolender RP, Paumgartner D, Losa G, Muellender D, Weibel ER (1978) Integrated stereological and biochemical studies on hepatocytic membranes. I. Membrane recoveries in subcellular fractions. J Cell Biol 77:565–583

    Google Scholar 

  • Bugge HP, Ploen L (1986) Changes in the volume of Sertoli cells during the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium in the rat. J Reprod Fertil 76:39–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Burri PH, Giger H, Gnagi HR, Weibel ER (1968) Application of stereological methods to cytophysiologic experiments on polarised cells. Proc 4th Eur Conf Electron microscopy. Rome, vol 1, p 593

    Google Scholar 

  • Chemes H (1986) The phagocytic function of Sertoli cells: a morphological, biochemical and endocrinological study of lysosomes and acid phosphatase localization in the rat testis. Endocrinology 199:1673–1681

    Google Scholar 

  • Christensen AK, Mason NR (1965) Comparative ability of seminiferous tubules and interstitial tissue to synthesize androgens from progesterone-4-14C in vitro. Encodrinology 76:646–656

    Google Scholar 

  • Clermont Y, Leblond CP, Messier B (1959) Duree du cycle de l'epithelium seminal du rat. Arch Anat Microsc Exp 48:37–56

    Google Scholar 

  • De Kretser DM, Kerr JB (1983) The effect of testicular damage on Sertoli and Leydig cell function. In: De Kretser DM, Burger HG, Hudson B (eds) The pituitary and the testis. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 133–154

    Google Scholar 

  • De Kretser DM, Kerr JB (1988) The cytology of the testis. In: Knobil E, Neill J (eds) The Physiology of Reproduction. Raven Press, New York, pp 837–932

    Google Scholar 

  • Dietert SE (1966) Fine structure of the formation and fate of the residual bodies of mouse spermatozoa with evidence for the participation of lysosomes. J Morphol 120:317–346

    Google Scholar 

  • Dym M (1973) The fine structure of the monkey (Macaca) Sertoli cell and its role in maintaining the blood-testis barrier. Anat Rec 175:634–656

    Google Scholar 

  • Elias H, Hyde DM (1980) An elementary introduction to stereology (quantitative microscopy). Am J Anat 159:412–446

    Google Scholar 

  • Elias H, Hennig A, Schwarz DE (1971) Stereology: applications to biomedical research. Physiol Rev 51:158–200

    Google Scholar 

  • Fawcett DW (1975) Ultrastructure and function of the Sertoli cell. In: Hamilton DW, Greep RO (eds) Handbook of physiology: Male repoductive system. Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, pp 21–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Fawcett DW (1977) The ultrastructure and functions of the Sertoli cell. In: Greep RO, Koblinsky MA (eds) Frontiers in reproduction and fertility control. MIT Press, Massachusetts, pp 302–320

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilula NB, Fawcett DW, Aoki A (1976) The Sertoli cell occluding junctions and gap junctions in mature and developing mammalian testis. Dev Biol 50:142–168

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall PF, Irby DC, de Kretser DM (1969) Conversion of cholesterol to androgens by rat testis. Comparison of interstitial cells and seminiferous tubules. Endocrinology 84:488–496

    Google Scholar 

  • Hally AD (1964) A counting method for measuring the volumes of tissue components in microscopical sections. Q J Microsc Sci 105:503–517

    Google Scholar 

  • Holstein AF, Roosen-Runge EC (1981) Atlas of Human Spermatogenesis. Grose, Berlin, pp 1–224

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerr JB (1988) A light microscopic and morphometric analysis of the Sertoli cell during the spermatogenic cycle of the rat. Anat Embryol 177:341–348

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerr JB, de Kretser DM (1974) Fine structure of the Sertoli cell throughout the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium in the normal and cryptorchid rat. In: Sanders JV, Goodchild DJ (eds) Electron microscopy, vol 2, Aust Acad Sci, Canberra, pp 428–429

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerr JB, de Kretser DM (1975) Cyclic variations in Sertoli cell lipid content throughout the spermatogenic cycle in the rat. J Reprod Fertil 43:1–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerr JB, de Kretser DM (1981) The cytology of the human testis. In: Burger H, de Kretser D (eds) The Testis. Raven Press, New York, pp 141–169

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerr JB, Mayberry RA, Irby DC (1984) Morphometric studies on lipid inclusions in Sertoli cells during the spermatogenic cycle in the rat. Cell Tissue Res 236:699–709

    Google Scholar 

  • Lacroix M, Parvinen M, Fritz IB (1981) Localisation of testicular plasminogen activator in discrete portions (stages VII and VIII) of the seminiferous tubule. Biol Reprod 25:143–146

    Google Scholar 

  • Lalli MF, Tang XM, Clermont Y (1984) Glycoprotein synthesis in Sertoli cells during the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium of adult rats: a radioautographic study. Biol Reprod 340:493–505

    Google Scholar 

  • Leblond CP, Clermont Y (1952) Definition of the stages of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium in the rat. Ann NY Acad Sci 55:548–593

    Google Scholar 

  • Mather JP, Gunsalus GL, Musto NA, Cheng CY, Parvinen M, Wright WW, Perez-Infante V, Margioris A, Liotta A, Becker R, Krieger DT, Bardin CW (1983) The hormonal and cellular control of Sertoli cell secretion. J Steroid Biochem 109:41–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Means AR, Fakunding JK, Huckins C, Tindall DJD, Vitale R (1976) Follicle-stimulating hormone, the Sertoli cell and spermatogenesis. Rec Prog Horm Res 32:477–527

    Google Scholar 

  • MacGinley DM, Pozalaky Z, Porvaznik M, Russell L (1979) Gap junctions between Sertoli and germ cells of rat seminiferous tubules. Tissue Cell 11:741–754

    Google Scholar 

  • Morales C, Clermont Y, Hermo L (1985) Nature and function of endocytosis in Sertoli cells of the rat. Am J Anat 173:203–217

    Google Scholar 

  • Morales C, Clermont Y, Nadler MJ (1986) Cyclic endocytic activity and kinetics of lysosomes in Sertoli cells of the rat: a morphometric analysis. Am J Anat 34:207–218

    Google Scholar 

  • Niemi M, Kormano M (1965) Cyclic changes in and significance of lipids and acid phosphatase activity in the seminiferous tubules of the rat testis. Anat Rec 151:159–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Paniagua R, Rodriguez MC, Nistal M, Fraile B, Amat P (1987) Changes in the lipid inclusion/Sertoli cell cytoplasm area ratio during the cycle of the human seminiferous epithelium. J Reprod Fertil 80:335–341

    Google Scholar 

  • Parvinen M, Vihko KK, Toppari J (1986) Cell interactions during the seminiferous epithelial cycle. Int Rev Cytology 104:115–151

    Google Scholar 

  • Pelletier RM, Friend DS (1983) The Sertoli cell junctional complex: structure and permeability to filipin in the neonatal and adult guinea pig. Am J Anat 168:213–228

    Google Scholar 

  • Posalaki Z, Szabo D, Bacsi E, Okros I (1968) Hydrolytic enzymes during spermatogenesis in the rat. An electron microscopic and histochemical study. J Histochem Cytochem 16:249–262

    Google Scholar 

  • Ritzen EM, Boitani C, Parvinen M, French FC, Feldman M (1982) Stage-dependent secretion of ABP by rat seminiferous tubules. Mol Cell Endocrinol 25:25–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Russell LD (1980) Sertoli-germ cell interrelations. Gamete Res 3:179–202

    Google Scholar 

  • Russell LD, Clermont Y (1977) Degeneration of germ cells in normal hypophysectomized and hormone treated hypophysectomized rats. Anat Rec 187:347–366

    Google Scholar 

  • Russell LD, Gardner RJ, Weber JE (1986) Reconstruction of a type-B configuration monkey Sertoli cells: size, shape, and configurational and specialized cell-to-cell relationships. Am J Anat 175:73–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Russell LD, Malone JK (1980) A study of Sertoli-spermatid tubulobulbar complexes in selected mammals. Tissue Cell 12:263–285

    Google Scholar 

  • Russell LD, Tallon-Doran M, Weber J, Wong V, Peterson RN (1983) Three-dimensional reconstruction of a rat stage V Sertoli cell. III. A study of specific cellular relationships. Am J Anat 167:181–192

    Google Scholar 

  • Schulze C (1974) On the morphology of the human Sertoli cell. Cell Tissue Res 153:339–355

    Google Scholar 

  • Schulze C (1984) Sertoli cells and Leydig cells in man. Adv Anat Embryol Cell Biol 88:1–104

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharpe RM (1983) Local control of testicular function. Q J Exp Physiol 68:265–287

    Google Scholar 

  • Siegel S (1956) Nonparametric statistics for the behavioural sciences. McGraw-Hill, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Tcholakian RK, Steinberger A (1978) Progesterone metabolism by cultured Sertoli cells. Endocrinology 103:1335–1343

    Google Scholar 

  • Toppari J, Vihko KK, Rasanen KGE, Eerola E, Parvinen M (1986) Regulation of stages VI and VIII of the rat seminiferous epithelial cycle in vitro. J Endrocinol 108:417–422

    Google Scholar 

  • Ulvik NM, Dahl E (1981) Stage-dependent variation in volume density and size of Sertoli cell vesicles in the rat testis. Cell Tissue Res 221:311–320

    Google Scholar 

  • Vihko KK, Suominen JJO, Parvinen M (1984) Cellular regulation of plasminogen activator secretion during spermatogenesis. Biol Reprod 31:383–389

    Google Scholar 

  • Weber JE, Russell LD, Wong V, Peterson RN (1983) Three-dimensional reconstruction on a rat stage V Sertoli cell. II. Morphometry of Sertoli-Sertoli and Sertoli-grem cell relationships. Am J Anat 167:163–179

    Google Scholar 

  • Weibel ER (1971) Stereological methods. Vol 1. Practical methods for biological morphometry. Academic Press, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Weibel ER, Bolender RP (1973) Stereological techniques for electron microscope morphometry. In: Hayat MA (ed) Principles and techniques for electron microscopy, vol 3. Van Nostrand-Reinhold, New York, pp 237–296

    Google Scholar 

  • Weibel ER, Paumgartner D (1978) Integrated stereological and biochemical studies on hepatocytic membranes. II. Correction of section thickness effect on volume and surface density estimates. J Cell Biol 77:584–597

    Google Scholar 

  • Weibel ER, Kistler GS, Scherle WG (1966) Practical stereological methods for morphometric cytology. J Cell Biol 30:23–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Welsh MJ, Wiebe JP (1978) Sertoli cell capacity to metabolize C19 steroids. Variation with age and the effect of FSH. Endocrinology 103:838–844

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams MA (1977) Stereological techniques. In: Glauert AM (ed) Practical methods in electronmicroscopy, vol 6, pt II. Quantitative methods in biology. North Holland, Amsterdam, pp 5–84

    Google Scholar 

  • Wong V, Russell LD (1983) Three-dimensional reconstruction of a rat stage V Sertoli cell. I. Methods, basic configuration and dimensions. Am J Anat 167:143–161

    Google Scholar 

  • Wright WW, Parvinen M, Musto NA, Gunsalus GL, Phillips DM, Mather JP, Bardin CW (1983) Identification of stage-specific protein synthesized by rat seminiferous tubules. Biol Reprod 29:257–270

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Monash University, 3168, Clayton, Victoria, Australia

    Jeffrey B. Kerr

Authors
  1. Jeffrey B. Kerr
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kerr, J.B. An ultrastructural and morphometric analysis of the Sertoli cell during the spermatogenic cycle of the rat. Anat Embryol 179, 191–203 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00304701

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00304701

Key words

Search

Navigation