A comparative study in twelve mammalian species of volume densities, volumes, and numerical densities of selected testis components, emphasizing those related to the Sertoli cell.
Abstract: Morphometric studies were performed on 12 mammalian species (degu, dog, guinea pig, hamster, human, monkey, mouse, opossum, rabbit, rat, stallion, and woodchuck) to determine volume density percentage (Vv%), volume (V), and numerical density (Nv) of seminiferous tubule components, especially those related to the Sertoli cell, and to make species comparisons. For most species, measurements were taken both from stages where elongate spermatids were deeply embedded within the Sertoli cell and from stages near sperm release where elongate spermatids were in shallow crypts within the Sertoli cell. Montages, prepared from electron micrographs, were used to determine Vv% of Sertoli cell components in seminiferous tubules. Excluding the tubular lumen, the Sertoli cell occupied from a high of 43.1% (woodchuck) to a low of 14.0% (mouse) of the tubular epithelium. There was a strong negative correlation (r = -0.83; P less than 0.005) of volume occupancy of Sertoli cells with sperm production. Nuclear volume, as determined by serial reconstruction using serial thick sections, ranged from a high of 848.4 microns 3 (opossum) to a low of 273.8 microns 3 (degu). There was no correlation (r = 0.02) of nuclear volume with volume occupancy (Vv%) in the tubule. Sertoli cell volume was determined by point-counting morphometry at the electron-microscope level as the product of the nuclear size and points determined over the entire cell divided by points over the nucleus. Sertoli cell V ranged from 2,035.3 microns 3 (degu) to 7,011.6 microns 3 (opossum) and was highly correlated (r = 0.85; P less than 0.001) with nuclear size. However, there was no significant correlation between the Sertoli cell size (V) and volume occupancy (Vv%; r = 0.13) or sperm production (r = -0.21). Stereological estimates of the numerical density (Nv) of Sertoli cells ranged from a high of 101.9 x 10(6) (monkey) to a low of 24.9 x 10(6) (rabbit) cells per cm3 of testicular tissue. There was no correlation of numerical density of Sertoli cells with sperm production (r = 0.002). A negative correlation was, however, observed between the numerical density of the Sertoli cells and the Sertoli cell size (r = -0.79; P less than 0.002). Data from the present study are compared with those previously published. This is the first study to compare Sertoli cell morphological measurements using unbiased sampling techniques. Morphometric data are provided which will serve as a basis for other morphometric studies.
Publication Date: 1990-05-01 PubMed ID: 2111966DOI: 10.1002/aja.1001880104Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- P.H.S.
Summary
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The study examines the structure and density of components found within the testis, namely Sertoli cells, across twelve different mammalian species. It aims to provide a comparative analysis among species, with a particular focus on Sertoli cell features and their correlation with sperm production.
Summary of the Study
- This research conducted morphometric analyses on twelve mammalian species, including dogs, guinea pigs, hamsters, and humans, among others. The goal was to measure and compare different components within the testis, including the volume density percentage (Vv%), volume (V), and numerical density (Nv) of seminiferous tubule components, with a special focus on those related to the Sertoli cell.
- The volume of Sertoli cells within the seminiferous tubules of the testes was found to vary greatly among species, with the highest percentage found in woodchucks (43.1%) and the lowest in mice (14.0%).
- The researchers observed a strong negative correlation between the volume of the Sertoli cells and sperm production. This implies that a greater Sertoli cell volume may, in turn, lead to decreased sperm production.
- The study also included detailed research on Sertoli cell’s nuclear volume and size, with findings indicating no correlation between the nuclear volume and the cell’s volume occupancy in the tubule. However, a strong correlation was found between nuclear size and Sertoli cell volume, implying that larger nuclei are found in larger Sertoli cells.
Comparison with Previous Data and Implications
- The research provides a comparison of its findings with those of previous studies, offering a broader perspective on the matter.
- This study makes notable strides in our understanding of the morphological variations in Sertoli cells among different species, as it is the first to employ unbiased sampling techniques for such comparisons. This innovative approach adds significant value and credibility to the research findings.
- Providing morphometric data about important testes components, this study increases our knowledge about mammalian reproductive processes and provides the foundation for future morphological studies.
- Although the study finds a negative correlation between the size of Sertoli cells and sperm production, there was found to be no significant correlation in most other parameters, indicating that many other factors are involved in the process of sperm production.
Cite This Article
APA
Russell LD, Ren HP, Sinha Hikim I, Schulze W, Sinha Hikim AP.
(1990).
A comparative study in twelve mammalian species of volume densities, volumes, and numerical densities of selected testis components, emphasizing those related to the Sertoli cell.
Am J Anat, 188(1), 21-30.
https://doi.org/10.1002/aja.1001880104 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale 62901.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cell Count
- Cell Nucleus / ultrastructure
- Dogs
- Guinea Pigs
- Haplorhini
- Horses
- Humans
- Male
- Mammals / anatomy & histology
- Marmota
- Mice
- Opossums
- Rabbits
- Rats
- Rats, Inbred Strains
- Rodentia
- Seminiferous Tubules / anatomy & histology
- Seminiferous Tubules / cytology
- Sertoli Cells / cytology
- Species Specificity
- Spermatozoa / cytology
- Testis / cytology
Grant Funding
- HD 20300 / NICHD NIH HHS
Citations
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