Sertoli cells of the testis: Preparation of cell cultures and effects of retinoids

Abstract

Publisher Summary Vitamin A in the form of retinol is essential for mammalian spermatogenesis. All cell types in the testis including Leydig cells, germinal cells, peritubular myoid cells, and the Sertoli cells are potential candidates for the sites of vitamin A action. This chapter discusses the preparation of primary cultures of Sertoli cells and actions of retinoids on cultured Sertoli cells. Sertoli cells contain relatively high levels of cellular retinol-binding protein (CRBP) but very little cellular retinoic acid-binding protein (CRABP). Studies of retinoid metabolism in cultured Sertoli cells show that retinol is rapidly taken up and immediately esterified. Sertoli cells contain large pools of retinyl esters but no detectable retinoic acid. Isolated germinal cells also take up retinol and convert it to esters. A model for the action of retinoids has been proposed whereby retinol is taken up by specific receptors on the basal surface of Sertoli cells and esterified. In this model, part of the ester pool is then transported to the germinal cells. Thus, it is proposed that retinoic acid is unable to support spermatogenesis because it cannot form retinyl esters.