Receptors d'IGF-1 i marcadors funcionals de les cèl·lules de Sertoli

Authors

  • Lluís Bassas
  • Marta Antich

Abstract

Sertoli cells (SC) participate in the development of the fetal testis and after puberty in the physical and metabolic support of spermatogenesis. Fetal SC mature into adult SC, and a number of biological markers have been described to identify their maturation status. Differentiation of SC is regulated by FSH, androgens, thyroid hormones, and different regulatory and growth peptides. Insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) promotes the proliferation of immature SC and contributes to their differentiation to an adult phenotype. Testicular damage induced by experimental cryptorchidism in rat triggers a strong positive regulation of IGF-1 receptors in the CS after puberty, while in normal testes IGF-1 receptors remain low. In adult men, IGF- 1 receptors also show up-regulation in cryptorchid testes, as well as in other testicular injuries of diverse origin. The number of IGF-1 receptors in SC is correlated with the number of spermatogoniae and elongated spermatids (r = 0,515, p < 0.001). In contrast, testes with maturation arrest display IGF-1 receptor levels similar to normal testes. We propose that IGF-1 receptors could be considered as maturation markers of the SC, sensitive enough to detect partial tubular derangements, showing loss of germinal epithelium and minor de-differentiation.

Published

2007-12-27