Electrophysiological Changes of Sertoli Cells Produced by the Acute Administration of Amino Acid and FSH

Summary

Electrophysiological studies were carried out using seminiferous tubules of “Sertoli cell enriched testes” of rats irradiated in utero. Sertoli cells were inserted with glass microelectrodes in a superfision chamber continuously perfused with KRb buffer. The topical application of FSH (4.0 mU/ml) produced a biphasic effect characterized by a rapid hyperpolarization (< 3 s) followed by depolarization. The depolarizing effect of FSH was prolonged and potentiated in the presence of 5 mmol/l α-methylaminoisobutyric acid in the bath medium of the superfusion chamber. Verapamil, at a dose (250 μmol/1) that nullified the stimulatory action of FSH in the amino acid transport, suppressed the depolarizing effect of FSH. It was concluded that in immature rat testes FSH produces electrophysiological changes that mediate the stimulatory action of the amino acid transport.

Key words

Sertoli Cells Potentials - FSH in Sertoli Cells - Amino Acid Transport in Sertoli Cells - Electrophysiology of Sertoli Cells