The Phagocytic Function of Sertoli Cells: A Morphological, Biochemical, and Endocrinological Study of Lysosomes and Acid Phosphatase Localization in the Rat Testis*

摘要: The lysosomal population of the seminiferous tubules rat was studied by conventional electron microscopy and microscopic histochemistry. Biochemical determinations acid phosphatase were carried out in whole cell suspensions tubular cells or different populations purified sedimentation albumin gradients. Lysosomes rarely found spermatogonia primary spermatocytes. Young spermatids showed up to six lysosomes per section, this number increased as spermatid maturation proceeded. Residual bodies had a very heterogeneous content. Sertoli cyclical variations their lysosomes. These present small numbers from stages I-IV cycle epithelium progressively be numerous at VI-VIII. After spermiation, rapidly decreased. Acid contents (nanomoles nitrophenol formed mg protein/min): suspension, 67.5 +/- 7.8; pachytene spermatocytes (72% purity), 76.5 10.6; round (73% 95.0 2.8; residual (88% 96.0 14.2; cell-enriched fraction, 278.5 75.7. In group rats, endogenous LH testosterone lowered administration anti-LH antibodies. There an intense degeneration meiotic spermatocytes, which phagocytized digested these immature testosterone-depleted cells. It is concluded that show variations, with increase toward time spermiation decrease after have been digested; are higher than those germ cells, body disposal probably initiated autophagy completed phagocytosis; phagocytic function not hormone (testosterone) dependent.