Transforming growth factor beta-1 decreases the yield of the second meiotic division of rat pachytene spermatocytes in vitro.

ABSTRACT:

Background

TGF beta and its receptors are present in both germ cells and somatic cells of the male gonad. However, knock-out strategies for studying spermatogenesis regulation by TGF beta have been disappointing since TGF beta-or TGF beta receptor-null mice do not survive longer than a few weeks.

Methods

In the present study, we addressed the role of TGF beta-1 on the completion of meiosis by rat pachytene spermatocytes (PS) cocultured with Sertoli cells. Identification and counting of meiotic cells were performed by cytology and cytometry.

Results

Under our culture conditions, some PS differentiated into round spermatids (RS). When TGF beta-1 was added to the culture medium, neither the number of PS or of secondary spermatocytes nor the half-life of RS was modified b

SUBMITTER: Damestoy A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1156949 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature