Sertoli cell: Difference between revisions
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===Nomenclature=== |
===Nomenclature=== |
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Sertoli cells are called so because of their [[eponym]] [[Enrico Sertoli]], an Italian physiologist who discovered them in 1865. |
Sertoli cells are called so because of their [[eponym]] [[Enrico Sertoli]], an Italian physiologist who discovered them while studying medicine in the University of Pavia, Italy. He published a description of this cell in 1865. Other scientists began to refer to them as the "cells of Sertoli" beginning in 1888. |
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===Functions=== |
===Functions=== |
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Revision as of 05:11, 6 February 2006
Introduction
A Sertoli cell (a kind of sustentacular cell) is a 'nurse' cell of the testes which is part of a seminiferous tubule. Its main function is nurturing the developing spermatogonia during the process of spermatogenesis
Nomenclature
Sertoli cells are called so because of their eponym Enrico Sertoli, an Italian physiologist who discovered them while studying medicine in the University of Pavia, Italy. He published a description of this cell in 1865. Other scientists began to refer to them as the "cells of Sertoli" beginning in 1888.
Functions
As mentioned earlier Sertoli cells are involved in the process of spermatogenesis. This process is stimulated by Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) from the anterior pituitary gland.
Sertoli cells also secrete anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) during the early stages of fetal life. After puberty, they secrete the hormone inhibin and activins.
The junctions of Sertoli cells form the blood-testis barrier, a structure that partitions the interstitial blood compartment of the testis from the adluminal compartment of the seminiferous tubules. Sertoli cells control the entry and exit of nutrients, hormones and other chemicals into the tubules of the testis as well as make the adluminal compartment an immune-privaleged site.
Once fully differentiated, the Sertoli cell is unable to proliferate. Therefore, once spermatogenesis has begun, no more Sertoli cells are created. Recently however, some scientists have found a way to grow these cells outside of the body. This gives rise to the possibility of repairing some defects that cause male infertility.
They also secrete androgen binding hormone and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), which has been demonstrated to function in promoting undifferentiating spermatogonia.