Ultrastructure of Sertoli Cells in Cryptorchid Goats

Abstract

Sertoli cells of intra-abdominal testes from 25 naturally occurring, unilaterally cryptorchid, West African pygmy goats between the ages of 1-30 months were morphologically examined by light and transmission electron microscopy. Ultrastructurally, Sertoli cells in the intra-abdominal testes from 1-month-old goats were columnar and contained ovoid nuclei. The cytoplasm depicted clusters of rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae (RER). In 3- to 4-month-old animals nucleolonemas of the Sertoli cells were associated with vesicles; the cytoplasm contained RER and areas of whorls of smooth endoplasmic reticulum. An abundance of lipid droplets was accompanied by lipofuscin granules in the cytoplasm. In 6- to 8-month-old goats RER cisternae presented circular or irregular profiles in the cells with an augmentation of cytoplasmic lipid droplets and lipofuscin granules. In 12- to 15-month-old animals intercellular spaces in the seminiferous epithelium exhibited focal expansions. Nuclear profiles of the Sertoli cells were irregular. In 24- to 30-month-old animals the Sertoli cells were in an advanced stage of degeneration.

Cytology of germ cells in the scrotal testes of naturally unilate­ral cryptorchid West African dwarf goats

“…This finding is similar to what has been reported in other breeds of goats (Onyango et al, 2000) boars (Bearden et al, 2004), rams (Guraya, 2000) and donkeys (Chiarini-Garcia, 2009). The present light and ultrastructural descriptions of the contralateral scrotal testes and the descended testes of the normal bucks is in consonance with the reports of previous investigations on the testicular morphology of the goat (Singh & Ezeasor, 1989;Onyango et al, 2000).…”

Characteristics of Sertoli cells in the ectopic and scrotal testes of unilateral cryptorchid West African dwarf goats

“…This normal morphology is most probably an indication that the integrity of the junctional complexes were not compromised as a result of the supra-scrotal temperature in the abdomen. Similar opinions were expressed by Hagenas et al [15] in experimental cryptorchid rats and by Singh and Ezeasor [28] in naturally hemicryptorchid goats. However, the result of the present study is at variance with those of Aumuller et al [3] and Turner et al [30], who reported some modifications in the architecture of junctional complexes, implying break down of blood/testis barrier.…”

Ultrastructural study of the boar seminiferous epithelium: Changes in cryptorchidism

“…Thus, different etiologic factors may induce the persistence of immature Sertoli cells in adulthood. In contrast, elongated nuclei with deep membrane indentations and lateral cytoplasmic processes were found in degenerative Sertoli cells of prepubertal cryptorchid testes from goats (Singh and Ezeasor, 1989) and humans (Rune et al, 1992), and of postpubertal cryptorchid testes from humans . In cryptorchid testes, degeneration of immature Sertoli cells involves, in the initial stages, formation of deep infoldings of the nuclear membrane and retraction and convolution of the apical cytoplasm, thus forming lateral processes.…”

“…This organelle content differs from that observed in abdominal testes of unilateral and bilateral cryptorchid boars, in which Sertoli cell cytoplasm is constituted by rough endoplasmic reticulum, and abundant mitochondria and polysomes. The presence of both rough endoplasmic reticulum and abundant mitochondria has been correlated with the immaturity of Sertoli cells (Singh and Ezeasor, 1989).…”

“…In cryptorchid testes, degeneration of immature Sertoli cells involves, in the initial stages, formation of deep infoldings of the nuclear membrane and retraction and convolution of the apical cytoplasm, thus forming lateral processes. More advanced degeneration includes dilation of endoplasmic reticulum cisternae, increased lipid content, and atrophy of Golgi complex and mitochondria (Singh and Ezeasor, 1989;de Kretser and Kerr, 1994).…”