Abstract
Objective: Sertoli cells in vivo form compartments to allow germ cells proliferation and differentiation in a specific microenvironment. These compartments are created between adjacent Sertoli cells by the blood testis barrier (BTB), with specialized intercellular tight junctions, complexly intermingled with Gap junctions. The Gap junction protein Connexin 43 is one of the predominant connexins (Cx) in the testis (Cell Tissue Res., 1999; 298:113–121). Cx43 KO present a rapid arrest of germ cells development (Biol. Reprod., 1999; 60:1263–1270), while KI replacement of C-terminal region in Cx 43 produces Sertoli cells only syndromes (Curr. Biol., 2000; 10:1083–1091). Thus, Cx 43 seems to play a major role in the control of spermatogenesis. The objectives of this study were to study the distribution pattern of the testis gap junctions protein Cx 43 in the model devised in our laboratory to culture seminiferous tubules segments in vitro.
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