Mechanisms of Sertoli Cell Damage in Experimental Cryptorchidism in the Rat

Abstract

In recent years the Sertoli cell has emerged as the director of spermatogenesis. The well known inhibition of spermatogenesis that occurs in cryptorchidism may thus be due to Sertoli cell damage. In experimental cryptorchidism in the rat, Sertoli cell secretion of androgen binding protein (ABP) was found to be markedly impaired. The present study demonstrates that both androgenic hormones and FSH, the only hormones known to be of importance for Sertoli cell function, are available to the cryptorchid seminiferous tubule in abundance. Androgen receptors in the cytoplasm seem to be prosent in equal amounts in testes of hypophys-ectomized rats, whether they are cryptorchid of not. However, the concentration of FSH receptors in the cryptorchid testis is reduced to very low levels. Thus, peripheral resistance to FSH may be one factor of importance. However, Sertoli cell secretion of ABP is also impaired in vitro at 37° C, even in the absence of hormones, indicating other mechanisms behind the impaired Sertoli cell function at elevated temperatures.