The effects of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on sertoli cell junctions in vitro: A freeze-fracture study

Abstract

The mechanism(s) for the control of Sertoli cell tight junction development and orientation has not been established. We have studied the effect of FSH (5 U/ml) on tight junction formation using an organ culture technique that allows maintenance of tubular structure and viability of Sertoli cells, without the other influencing factors that are encountered in vivo . Tight junctions developed as the control organ cultures aged and consisted of extensive junctional complexes by 30–40 days in culture. Yet their development did not correspond to that seen in the maturing animal at 30 days, remaining basically unoriented. In the 30- to 40-day FSH-treated cultures the tight junctions were not only aligned parallel to one another, but were also condensed in bands at the basal part of the Sertoli cell and seemed to be oriented parallel to the myoid cell layer. These observations suggest that FSH affects the tight junctions of Sertoli cells by influencing their overall orientation. Additionally, the occurrence and possible significance of a septate-like character of the Sertoli junctions that was occasionally noted is discussed.