Entosis Acts as a Novel Way within Sertoli Cells to Eliminate Spermatozoa in Seminiferous Tubule.

ABSTRACT: The present study was designed to investigate the hypothesis that in vivo entosis is a novel pathway for eliminating spermatozoa in the seminiferous tubules (ST) during hibernation of the Chinese soft-shelled turtle. Western blot analysis revealed that the expression of LAMP1 in the testis was significantly higher during hibernation than that during non-hibernation. Immunohistochemistry reaction showed that LAMP1-positive substance was distributed within the Sertoli cells of the testis. Further examination by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), many degraded spermatozoa being enwrapped within large entotic vacuoles in Sertoli cells. The nucleus and the flagellum of the spermatozoa were shown to be decomposed and digested inside entotic vacuoles within Sertoli cells. More than tw

SUBMITTER: Ahmed N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5447735 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature