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Correlative morphology and endocrinology of Sertoli cells in hamster testes in active and inactive states of spermatogenesis.

The seasonally breeding golden (Syrian) hamster, which exhibits photoperiod-dependent transitions between active and inactive states of spermatogenesis, was used as a model to study Sertoli cell structure in the two extreme phases of gonadal activity. The structural parameters of the Sertoli cell and its subcellular organelles were assessed using accepted stereological procedures during active and inactive states of spermatogenesis, and the results correlated with a battery of endocrine parameters obtained from the same animals. Short photoperiod-induced testicular involution was associated with a significant decrease in virtually all morphological parameters of the Sertoli cell, including a dramatic decrease in the volumes and surface areas of the Sertoli cells and their major subcellular organelles. Sertoli cell size and surface area were significantly and positively correlated with the testicular weight, volume of the seminiferous tubule, tubular lumena, tubule diameter, and germ cell numbers. Similar correlations were recorded between the number of germ cells and nearly all subcellular parameters of the Sertoli cell. Only those structural elements that are related to degredative processes (lysosomes and lipid) did not show significant volumetric differences between gonadally active and inactive animals. The observed changes in the structural parameters of the Sertoli cells were significantly correlated with the reduction in plasma levels of FSH, LH, and testosterone and intratesticular levels of testosterone. Exposure of hamsters to a short photoperiod was also associated with an increase in concentration (femtomoles per mg protein), but a decrease in the total content (femtomoles per testis) of testicular FSH receptors. The dissociation of changes in the content and concentration of FSH receptors appears to be related to changes in basal compartment plasma membrane surface areas of the Sertoli cells during testicular regression. The striking changes in Sertoli cell morphology between active and inactive states of spermatogenesis are structural manifestations of alterations in the function of these cells in response to the concomitant endocrine changes in the testis and indicate a virtual shut-down of Sertoli cell function during short photoperiod-induced testicular regression.