DISTRIBUTION OF MICROTUBULES IN SERTOLI CELL OF RAT TESTIS / 解剖学报

ABSTRACT

The distribution of microtubules (MTs)in the Sertoli cell of rat testis was studied with indirect immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. We have found that MTs are mainly located in the cytoplasm apical to the nucleus and oriented parallel to the long axis of the Sertoli cell. MTs may extend into the stalks and processes of the cell which embrace different germ cells. With the changes of the architecture of the seminiferous epithelium and the shape of Sertoli cells, there are some regular changes in MTs distribution during the seminifeous epithelium cycle. In stage Ⅰ-Ⅴ, many MTs aggregate around the elongated spermatids and are parallel to their long axis. During stage Ⅶ maturing spermatids are suspended into the lumen by the Sertoli cell processes containing numerous MTs. Some of the MTs conform to the contour of the hook-shaped spermatids heads. After spermiation (stage Ⅶ-Ⅸ), MTs retract from the lumen with the Sertoli cell processes and gather around the spermatids which just start their elongation. These results indicate that the distribution of the MTs in Sertoli cell has close relations with the architecture of the seminiferous epithelium, and the changes of the Sertoli cell shape and the movement of the spermatids.