[Testosterone metabolism in isolated cells of rat and ram seminiferous tubules]. / Métabolisme de la testostérone dans les cellules isolées du tube séminifère de rat et de bélier

Aspermatogenic seminiferous tubules were obtained from adult Wistar rats treated with Busulfan at the 20th day of foetel life. The isolated tubules converted 14C testosterone (T) into androstenedione (delta4), 3,5%) 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), (1%) ANd 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta, 17 beta-diol at unit gravity and incubated with 14C-T. Only delta was produced (2%). Using a similar technique the same result was obtained when pure preparation of round spermatids and primary spermatocytes from ram testis were incubated with 14C-T. From these experiments, we conclude that 5 alpha-reductase activity is present only in Sertoli cells.

[Metabolism of testosterone in rat Sertoli cells]. / Métabolisme de la testostérone dans les cellules de Sertoli du rat

Aspermatogenic seminiferous tubules were incubated in presence of labelled testosterone. This steroid is converted into androstenedione and 5 alpha-dihydro-testosterone. This finding favours the hypothesis which gives the Sertoli cell an important role in germ cell maturation.