MODULATION OF BETA ACTIN FILAMENT NETWORK ASSOCIATED TO SERTOLI CELL ECTOPLASMIC SPECIALIZATIONS ALONG THE RAT SEMINIFEROUS EPITHELIUM CYCLE

CAVICCHIA, JC; CAPANI, F.; FOSCOLO, M

SAN DIEGO, USA

Congreso; THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR CELL BIOLOGY 49th ANNUAL MEETING; 2009

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR CELL BIOLOGY. USA

Modulation of â Actin Filament Network Associated to Sertoli Cell Ectoplasmic Specializations along the Rat Seminiferous Epithelium Cycle. J. C. Cavicchia1, 2; F. Capani2; M. Foscolo2 1. Medical School, Cuyo University.Argentina , Mendoza, Mendoza, Argentina. 2. Histology Embryology Institute, CONICET, Mendoza, Mendoza, Argentina. The term blood-testis barrier (BTB) originated by early physiological studies on the mammalian testis that demonstrated a differential transport of ions and metabolites between the basal areas of the seminiferous tubules (basal compartment), and the apical areas (adluminal one). Its morphological correlate was found to be located in specialized junctional devises found between the adjacent Sertoli (sustentacular) cells, integrated by occluding or tight junctions, which seal each inter-Sertoli space and by adherens junctions conformed by a highly organized circumferential belt of â actin filaments close to Sertoli cell membranes. Another junctional device, the tubular bulbar complexes (TB) completes this arrangement. These structures were termed ectoplasmic specializations (ES) by L. Russell(1977).OBJETIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution and arrangement of â actin and the implicated Sertoli membranes using confocal or electron microscopy, colocalization of beta actin with prosaposin ( that specifically stains Sertoli cytoplasm) and freeze fracture (to observe Sertoli membranes and TB complexes).RESULTS: A clear, differential spatial organization of â actin filaments together with a differential arrangement of TB complexes along the spermatic cycle were observed. CONCLUSION: Significant interrelations between the actin network, the junctional complexes of the BTB and TB complexes were detected at different stages of the seminiferous cycle. Supported by Cuyo University and CONICET (National Research Council) grants from Argentina .