Ultrastructure of germ cells and sertoli cells in the postnatal rabbit testis

Abstract

Spermatogenesis begins in the rabbit at seven to eight weeks of age. During the preceding postnatal period, seminiferous tubules contain round to oval prespermatogonia arranged in pairs at the tubular periphery and elongated Sertoli cells lying perpendicular to the basal lamina. Prespermatogonia are distinguished from fetal gonocytes by their abundant cytoplasm and the presence of intercellular bridges. Preceding the onset of spermatogenesis, prespermatogonia undergo diminution in cell size and cytoplasmic condensation. At the same time there is marked nucleolar enlargement, with elaborate proliferation of the nucleolonema. By the end of the seventh week, characteristic type A and B spermatogonia are present. Spermatocytes are seen at the end of the eighth week. Spermatids appear in the twelfth week, coincident with tubular lumen formation.

Disruption of sexual function, FSH secretion, and spermiogenesis in rabbits following developmental exposure to vinclozolin, a fungicide

“…Interstitial cells (future Leydig cells) of the fetal rabbit testis remain undifferentiated until GD 17, and perhaps begin hormone secretion near GD 20 (Bjerregaard et al 1974, Gondos 1974, Catt et al 1975. Indifferent supporting cells (future Sertoli cells) start to undergo morphological and biochemical changes indicative of endocrine activity approximately by GD 20 (Gondos et al 1973, Gondos 1974. Secretions of both cell types are involved in differentiation of the reproductive system (Bloch et al 1971, Klonisch et al 2004.…”

“…Also, perinatal developmental events are well documented for the rabbit (Bloch et al 1971, Gondos et al 1973, Bjerregaard et al 1974, Gondos 1974, Catt et al 1975. Furthermore, use of rabbits (in contrast to rodents) facilitates multiple evaluations of seminal quality and sexual capacity.…”

“…In utero exposure was begun on GD 15 to ensure that major organogenesis was completed before the start of the treatment and dosing was stopped at PND 28 when pups typically stop nursing. This window of exposure corresponds with the onset of gonadal differentiation (Gondos et al 1973) and development of the male reproductive tract.…”

Sertoli cell proliferation in the adult testis is induced by unilateral gonadectomy in African catfish

“…In mammals, Sertoli cells proliferate until puberty [15,21,51], and their numbers stabilize 4 during the first wave of spermatogenesis when the number of primary spermatocytes increases 5 [16,32,39]. These events coincide with the formation of the Sertoli cell barrier, tubular lumen that 6 forms as a result of increased fluid production by Sertoli cells, mainly under the influence of 7 androgens in adult animals, and an elaborated cytoskeleton, jointly constituting morphological and 8 functional markers of Sertoli cell differentiation [16,39].…”

Concentrations of Free and Esterified Cholesterol in the Testes of Maturing Rabbits

“…Spermatogonia first appear in testicular tubules at 7 to 9 weeks and spermatozoa at 14 weeks (Gondos, Renston & Conner, 1973). This is also the time during which the relative concentration of Sertoli cells declines.…”