Sertoli cells in culture: views from the perspectives of an in vivoist and an in vitroist

Abstract

Culturing Sertoli cells has proven to be a valuable technique to study the responses of these cells under a variety of conditions. This minireview focuses on the culture system and how it has contributed to our knowledge of the capabilities of isolated Sertoli cells. In addition, it focuses on the limitations of the system and the gaps in our knowledge about Sertoli cells in culture and what the results of in vitro studies mean in the intact animal. Caution is urged in interpreting in vitro results to the intact animal without their validation in vivo.