Comparative aspects of spermatogenic cell metabolism and Sertoli cell function in Xenopus laevis and mammals

Abstract

Due to the relative dearth of data regarding somatic cell-germ cell interactions in the testes of non-mammalian chordates, functional homologies between Sertoli cells from diverse organisms have been difficult to assess. However, recent developments in non-mammalian testis cell and organ culture techniques have provided experimental approaches to compare Sertoli cell-germ cell interactions in different vertebrates. Data from in vitro analyses of Sertoli cell-germ cell interactions are presented to suggest that Sertoli cells from rodents and the frog Xenopus laevis have similarities in supporting energy metabolism and glutathione metabolism in spermatogenic cells. Comparative in vitro analyses of Sertoli cell functions should provide further insights into the evolution of cell-cell interactions in the testes.