HISTOLOGY AND HISTOPATHOLOGY

From Cell Biology to Tissue Engineering

 

Review

New insights on hormones and factors that modulate Sertoli cell metabolism

Luís Rato1*, Maria João Meneses2*, Branca M. Silva1, Mário Sousa2,3, Marco G. Alves1 and Pedro F. Oliveira2,4

1CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, 2Department of Microscopy, Laboratory of Cell Biology and Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, UMIB/ICBAS/UP, Porto, 3Centre for Reproductive Genetics Professor Alberto Barros, Porto and 4I3S, Institute for Innovation and Health Research, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
* both authors contributed equally

Offprint requests to: Pedro Fontes Oliveira, Department of Microscopy, Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal. e-mail: pfobox@gmail.com or Marco G. Alves, Health Sciences Research Centre (CICS), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal. e-mail: alvesmarc@gmail.com


Summary. Sertoli cells (SCs) play a key role in spermatogenesis by providing the physical support for developing germ cells and ensuring them the appropriate nutrients, energy sources, hormones, and growth factors. The control of SCs metabolism has been in the spotlight for reproductive biologists, since it may be crucial to determine germ cells’ fate. Indeed, the maintenance of spermatogenesis is highly dependent on the metabolic cooperation established between SCs and germ cells, though this event has been overlooked. It depends on the orchestration of various metabolic pathways and an intricate network of signals. Several factors and/or hormones modulate the metabolic activity of SCs, which are major targets for the hormonal signalling that regulates spermatogenesis. Any alteration in the regulation of these cells’ metabolic behaviour may compromise the normal development of spermatogenesis and consequently, male fertility. In this context, SC metabolism arises as a key regulation point for spermatogenesis. Herein, we present an up-to-date overview on the impact of hormones and factors that modulate SC metabolism, with special focus on glycolytic metabolism, highlighting their relevance in determining male reproductive potential. Histol Histopathol 31, 499-513 (2016)

Key words: Sertoli cell, Spermatogenesis, Cell metabolism, Metabolic modulation, Hormones, Male reproduction

DOI: 10.14670/HH-11-717