IngentaConnect Sertoli cells as a target for reproductive hazards

Authors: Monsees, T. K.¹; Franz, M.¹; Gebhardt, S.¹; Winterstein, U.¹; Schill, W.-B.¹; Hayatpour, J.¹

Source: Andrologia, Volume 32, Numbers 4-5, September 2000 , pp. 239-246(8)

Abstract:

Male fertility can be impaired by various toxicants. Some of them are known to target mainly Sertoli cells, which play an essential role in spermatogenesis. In this study, the in vitro response of immature rat Sertoli cells to various environmental pollutants, including pesticides, oestrogenic compounds and heavy metals, has been investigated. Mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity has been used to measure Sertoli cell viability, while production of lactate and secretion of inhibin B have been used as general and specific cell markers. Sertoli cell viability was not affected after 24-h exposure to lindane, DDT, ethinyloestradiol or bisphenol A in the concentration range analysed (up to 100, 25 or 50 μm, respectively). In contrast, mercury(II) (EC₅₀=31 μm) and cisplatin (15% decrease in viability at 100 μm) induced some cytotoxic effect. With the exception of the pesticide DDT, all chemicals investigated induced a significant dose-dependent increase in lactate production after 24-h exposure to Sertoli cells. Owing to the cytotoxic effect of mercury(II), lactate levels dropped again at concentrations above 20 μm. The pesticide lindane (but not DDT) and both oestrogens significantly increased the production of the Sertoli cell specific hormone inhibin B without affecting cell viability. In contrast, the heavy metals mercury(II) and platinum(II) markedly decreased inhibin B levels. This sharp decrease was already significant at metal concentrations that reduced Sertoli cell viability only moderately (10-15%). In conclusion, the secretion of lactate and inhibin B by immature rat Sertoli cells seems to be a useful and sensitive marker with which to explore potential Sertoli cell toxicants.

Keywords: Environmental pollution; eavy metals; estrogens; esticides; eproductive toxicology

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1046/j.1439-0272.2000.00391.x

Affiliations: 1: Centre of Dermatology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany

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