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Stage-Related Functions of Sertoli Cells: Lessons from Lower Vertebrates

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Function of Somatic Cells in the Testis

Part of the book series: Serono Symposia, USA ((SERONOSYMP))

Abstract

Primarily from studies in mammals, it is evident that testicular functions have complex control mechanisms that include several categories of endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine mediators and involve crosstalk among germinal elements and multiple somatic cell types (e.g., Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, peritubular myoid cells, and fixed and transient leucocytes). As the only somatic cell element intimately in contact with germ cells, Sertoli cells have a pivotal role. What has hampered efforts to define functions of Sertoli cells during spermatogenic development is the organizational complexity of the mammalian testis. By contrast, the testis of certain lower vertebrates is much simpler in organization and has advantageous anatomic or functional characteristics that facilitate observation and experimental manipulation stage by stage. As part of a program of research examining the functional interdependence of spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis, we have carried out many studies using the spiny dogfish shark (Squalus acanthias) and have developed methods for studying spermatogenesis and its regulation using intact germinal units in vitro. Reviewed in this chapter are published and unpublished results from this laboratory.

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Authors
  1. Gloria V. Callard
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  2. Marlies Betka
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  3. Joan C. Jorgensen
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, 62901-6512, USA

    Andrzej Bartke Ph.D.

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© 1994 Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.

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Callard, G.V., Betka, M., Jorgensen, J.C. (1994). Stage-Related Functions of Sertoli Cells: Lessons from Lower Vertebrates. In: Bartke, A. (eds) Function of Somatic Cells in the Testis. Serono Symposia, USA. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-2638-3_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-2638-3_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-7619-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4612-2638-3

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