PMID: 8473832Mar 1, 1993Paper

Paracrine effects via the epidermal growth factor receptor in the rodent testis may be mediated by non-Leydig interstitial cells

The Journal of Endocrinology
A Moore, I D Morris

Abstract

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor is expressed in a wide variety of cell types and is known to be present in the testis of many species including man. In the present study, specific 125I-labelled EGF binding was observed in isolated interstitial cell preparations from both the intact and Leydig cell-depleted rat testis. It was demonstrated that the population of cells to which 125I-labelled EGF binds has a different buoyant density from either of the two adult Leydig cell populations, and remains unchanged in the absence of Leydig cells following in-vivo treatment with ethane dimethane sulphonate (EDS). Cells of this density (1.064 g/ml) identified by electron microscopy were fusiform mesenchymal cells, identical to those suggested by others to be able to differentiate into Leydig cells in vitro, i.e. Leydig cell precursors. In a culture system using two interstitial cell preparations of different buoyant densities from immature rats, both EGF and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) caused increased [3H]thymidine incorporation in the less dense cell preparation. TGF-alpha was more potent than EGF. EGF increased testosterone production in both fractions in amounts which could be related to the amount of 3 beta-...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.