Journal of Andrology Free Medline Services
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by HEINDEL, J. J.
Right arrow Articles by STRADA, S. J.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by HEINDEL, J. J.
Right arrow Articles by STRADA, S. J.
Journal of Andrology, Vol 3, Issue 5 337-343, Copyright © 1982 by The American Society of Andrology

Modification of Sertoli Cell Responsiveness to FSH by Cryptorchidism and Hypophysectomy in Immature and Adult Rats

JERROLD J. HEINDEL 1, ALBERT BERKOWITZ 1, ANNA STEINBERGER 1, AND SAMUEL J. STRADA 1

1 Departments of Reproductive Medicine & Biology and Pharmacology, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas

Cryptorchid or hypophysectomized rats were used as models to examine the possible relationships between germ cell development and gonadotropins in the agerelated decline in the responsiveness of the cyclic nucleotide system of rat Sertoli cells to FSH. Neither cryptorchidy nor hypophysectomy of adult rats can restore the ability of Sertoli cells to respond to FSH. Thus the age-related decline in cAMP response to FSH appears to be irreversible by depletion of postmeiotic germ cells in the presence or absence of gonadotropins. In contrast, cryptorchidy or hypophysectomy of immature rats prevents the normal age-related change in FSH responsiveness, suggesting that the change in responsiveness is not directly related to changes in gonadotropins or to the presence of developing germ cells. It is hypothesized that the decline in responsiveness to FSH may be physiologically important and may be a prerequisite for the completion of meiosis.

     Key words: rat, cryptorchidy, hypophysectomy, cAMP, Sertoli cell

Submitted on September 22, 1981
Revised on March 16, 1982
Accepted on April 13, 1982






HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1982 by The American Society of Andrology.