Abstract
When a single dose of X-rays is applied to the adult rat testis, stem spermatogonia are damaged, and spermatogenesis is interrupted. Supported by Sertoli cells, spermatogenic cells that endure irradiation complete their differentiation and gradually leave the testis as spermatozoa. In this study, the in vivo changes taking place a number of weeks after irradiation revealed cell-specific features of testicular lipid classes. A linear drop, taking about six weeks, in testis weight, nonlipid materials, free cholesterol, and 22:5n-6-rich glycerophospholipids took place with germ cell depletion. Sphingomyelins and ceramides with nonhydroxy very long-chain polyenoic fatty acids (n-VLCPUFA) disappeared in four weeks, together with the last spermatocytes, whereas species with 2-hydroxy VLCPUFA lasted for six weeks, disappearing with the last spermatids and spermatozoa. The amount per testis of 22:5n-6-rich triacylglycerols, unchanged for four weeks, fell between weeks 4 and 6, associating these lipids with spermatids and their residual bodies, detected as small, bright lipid droplets. In contrast, 22:5n-6-rich species of cholesterol esters and large lipid droplets increased in seminiferous tubules up to week 6, revealing they are Sertoli cell products. At week 30, the lipid and fatty acid profiles reflected the resulting permanent testicular involution. Our data highlight the importance of Sertoli cells in maintaining lipid homeostasis during normal spermatogenesis.
Highlights
When a single dose of X-rays is applied to the adult rat testis, stem spermatogonia are damaged, and spermatogenesis is interrupted
After exposure to a single dose of 6.5 Gy of X-rays localized on the testis, spermatogenic cells gradually disappeared from the seminiferous tubules as weeks postirradiation passed (Fig. 1)
This study focuses on lipids, we must consider that in addition to cholesterol and fatty acids, Sertoli cells must maintain the homeostasis of a great variety of molecules after phagocytosis of apoptotic and residual bodies
Summary
When a single dose of X-rays is applied to the adult rat testis, stem spermatogonia are damaged, and spermatogenesis is interrupted. A few weeks after having locally irradiated the testis with X-rays, spermatogenesis recommences from type A spermatogonial stem cells that had not been affected at irradiation time in some mammalian species like mice [1] but not in others like LBNF1 rats, which are in this regard a good model of the human testicular sensitivity to X-rays [7] In these rats, despite the presence and normal proliferation of apparently undamaged type A spermatogonia, it is their further differentiation that is after some time impeded, The mammalian testis is known to be highly susceptible to a variety of anticancer agents, including a number of che-.
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