Two populations cells with different responsiveness to mammalian LH, FSH and hCG from the testis of Bufo arenarum

POZZI AG; FERNANDEZ SOLARI JJ; CEBALLOS N

Napoles, Italia

Congreso; 14th International Congress of Comparative Endocrinology; 2001

In amphibians´s testis, Leydig and Sertoli cells play an important function in the regulation os spermatogenesis. The steroidogenic capacity of Leydig cell has been largely established, however, the steroidogenic potentially of amphibian´ Sertoli cell is still controversial. This work reports the separation of two population cells from the testis of Bufo arenarum, with different responsiveness to human gonadotropins. Cells were separated using a discontinuous Percoll gradient (20-80%). Fractions were incubated with hCG and recombinant hFSH and assayed for testosterone (T) and cAMP. This method allowed the separation of two fractions resembling Leydig (density 1.050 g/ml) and Sertoli (density 1.038 g/ml) cells. The fraction with a density similar to mammalian´s Sertoli cells responded to hFSH with an increase in cAMP and T. We conclude that B. arenarum would have steroidogenic Sertoli cells as described in other species.