Estrogens affect Sertoli cells and the blood-testis barrier in pubertal rats.
- Author:
Yi-Qing PAN
1
;
Qiang-Su GUO
;
Ru-Yao WANG
;
Chen XU
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Animals; Animals, Newborn; Apoptosis; drug effects; Blood-Testis Barrier; drug effects; metabolism; Estrogens; pharmacology; Fas Ligand Protein; biosynthesis; Male; Models, Animal; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Sertoli Cells; cytology; drug effects; metabolism
- From: National Journal of Andrology 2008;14(7):590-596
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation of exogenous estrogens with the expression of FasL in Sertoli cells and the blood-testis barrier during the differentiation and maturation period of Sertoli cells, and to discuss the related factors that influence the blood-testis barrier of pubertal rats.
METHODSSuper-physiological doses of exogenous estrogenic compounds (diethylstilbestrol and estradiol) were administered to pubertal Sprague-Dawley rats in vitro and in vivo, the FasL expression in the Sertoli cells of the rats detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot, and the changes in the blood-testis barrier observed with the electron microscope.
RESULTSAfter the exposure to exogenous estrogens, the FasL expression was markedly up-regulated in the immature Sertoli cells (P < 0.05) as well as in the Sertoli cell membrane and the blood-testis barrier of the epithelium. The tracer lanthanum passed through the blood-testis barrier and reached the whole layer of the epithelium at 18 days.
CONCLUSIONSuper-physiological dose of exogenous estrogens can change the expression and distribution of FasL in immature Sertoli cells and affect the structure of the blood-testis barrier.
