Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Study of the dynamics of sertoli cell secretions in a new superfusion, two-compartment culture system

  • Published:
In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

A new superfusion, two-compaatment culture system recently developed in our laboratory was used to investigate the dynamic changes in bidirectional secretion of transferrin, (Trf) and androgen binding protein (ABP) by rat Sertoli cells (Sc) cultured for up to 12 d under various experimental conditions. The system is unique in that the cells are grown on porous substrate and can be superfused independently at the apical (A) and basal (B) surfaces. The Sc formed confluent monolayers with tight junctions and were highly polarized, morphologically resembling their normal appearance in vivo. The bidirectional secretion patterns (total amount and A:B ratio) of both Trf and ABP were affected by the addition of hormones (testosterone, 10−6 M; follicle stimulating hormone, 0.1 μg/ml; and fetal bovine serum 2%), but not by changes in the medium flow rate (0.8 to 3.2 ml/h). The superfusion, two-compartment culture system provides a very useful model for culture of polarized cell monolayers and for the study of bidirectional secretions under more “physiologic” conditions than those provided by static cultures.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Culler, M. D.; Negro-Vilar, A.. Evidence that pulsatile folliclestimulating hormone secretion is independent of endogenous luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone. Endocrinology 118:609–612; 1986.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Desjardins, C. Endocrine signaling and male reproduction. Biol. Reprod. 24:1–21; 1981.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Dym, M.; Fawcett, D. W. The blood-testis barrier in the rat and the physiological compartmentation of the seminiferous epithelium. Biol. Reprod. 3:308–326; 1970.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Ellis, G. B.; Desjardins, C. Male rats secrete luteinizing hormone and testosterone episodically. Endocrinology 110:1618–1627; 1982.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Gebhart, J.; Mecke, D. Perifused monolayer cultures of rat liver parenchymal cells. Hoppe-Seylers Z. Physiol. Chem. 358:1204; 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Hadley, M. A.; Byers S. W. Suarez-Quian, C. A., et al. Extracellular matrix regulates Sertoli cell differentiation, testicular cord formation, and germ cell development in vitro. J. Cell. Biol. 101:1511–1522; 1985.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Hedin, L.; Ekholm, C.; Hillensjo, T. Dose-related effects of luteinizing hormone on the pattern, of steroidogenesis and cyclic adenosine monophosphate release in superfused provulatory rat follicles. Biol. Reprod. 29:895–904; 1983.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Janecki, A.; Steinberger, A. Influence of myoid cells and collagen IV+laminin on polarized secretion of transferrin and androgen binding protein by Sertoli cells in vitro. 68th Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society. Anaheim, CA June 25–27, 1986. Abstract 236; Endocrinology 120:291–298; 1987.

  9. Janecki, A.; Steinberger, A. Polarized Sertoli cell functions in a new two-compartment culture system. J. Androl. 7:69–71; 1986.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Janecki, A.; Lukaszyk, A.; Jakubowiak, A. Culture of rat Sertoli cells isolated with a modified procedure. Morphological identification of cell population and cell reactivity. Folia Histochem. Cytochem. 19:135–142; 1981.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Knobil, E. Patterns of hypophysiotropic signals and gonadotropin secretion in the rhesus monkey. Biol. Reprod. 24:44–49; 1981.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Mather, J. P.; Gunsalus, G. L.; Muston, N. A., et al. The hormonal and cellular control of Sertoli cell secretion. J. Steroid Biochem. 19:41–51; 1983.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Mather, J. P.; Morris, P. L.; Perez-Infante, V., et al. Hormonal control of Sertoli cell function Endocrinology. Proceedings of the 7th International Congress of Endocrinology, Quebec City, p. 615 (Abstract); 1984.

  14. Mather, J. P.; Wolpe, S. D.; Gunsalus, G. L., et al. Effect of purified and cell produced extracellular matrix components on Sertoli cell function. Ann NY Acad. Sci. 438:572 (Abstract); 1985.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Peluso, J. J.; Gruenberg, M. L.; Steger, R. W. Regulation of ovarian follicular growth and steroidogenesis by low-amplitude LH pulses. Am. J. Physiol. 246:R184-R189; 1984.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Penny, R.; Olambiwonnu, N. O.; Frasier, S. D. Episodic fluctuations of serum gonadotropins in pre- and post-pubertal girls and boys. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 45:307–311; 1977.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Peterson, A.; Walum, E. Growth and morphology of neuronal cell lines cultured in perifusion. In Vitro 19:875–880; 1983.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Shanon, J. G.; Glode, L. M. Cultivation of Sertoli cells on floating collagen gels—an improved method for studying cell-cell interactions in vitro. Eighth Testis Workshop, Bethesda, MD. Abstract 3; 1983.

  19. Skinner, M. K.; Griswold, M. D. Secretion of testicular transferrin by cultured Sertoli cells is regulated by hormones and retinoids. Biol. Reprod 27:211–221; 1982.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Smith, M. A.; Vale, W. W. Superfusion of rat anterior pituitary cells attached to cytodex beads: validation of a technique. Endocrinology 107:1425–1431; 1980.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Steinberger, A.; Janecki, A. Effects of hormones on Sertoli cell morphology, tight junction formation, and transferrin (Trf) secretion in a two-compartment culture system. J. Androl. (Abstract E2); 1986.

  22. Steinberger, A.; Walther, J.; Heindel, J. J., et al. Hormone interactions in the Sertoli cells. In Vitro 15:23–31; 1979.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Suarez-Quian, C. A.; Hadley, M. A.; Dym, M. Effect of substrate on the shape of Sertoli cells in vitro. In: Catt, K.; Dufau, M., eds. Hormone action and testicular function. vol. 438. New York: New York Academy of Sciences; 1984:417–434.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Tsuei-Chu, L.; Jackson, G. L. Long term superfusion of rat anterior pituitary cells: effects of repeated pulses of gonadotropin-releasing hormone at different doses durations and frequencies. Endocrinology 115:605–613; 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Tung, P. S.; Fritz, I. B. Extracellular matrix promotes rat Sertoli cell histotypic expression in vitro. Biol. Reprod. 30:213–229; 1984.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Wu, F. C. W.; Zhang, G.-Y.; Williams, B. C., et al. Functional characterization of luteinizing hormone responsiveness and desensitization in perifused interstitial cells. Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. 40:45–56; 1985.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, 6431 Fannin, Room 3.204, 77030, Houston, Texas

    Andrzej Janecki, Andrzej Jakubowiak & Anna Steinberger

Authors
  1. Andrzej Janecki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Andrzej Jakubowiak
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Anna Steinberger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

This work was supported in part by grant HD 17802 (AS) from the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Janecki, A., Jakubowiak, A. & Steinberger, A. Study of the dynamics of sertoli cell secretions in a new superfusion, two-compartment culture system. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol 23, 492–500 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02628419

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02628419

Key words

Search

Navigation