Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a unique developmental sequence involving multiple cell to cell interactions and several categories of regulatory molecules. In contrast to conventional mammalian models in which testicular organization is highly complex, the testis of the dogfish shark Squalus acanthias is technically advantageous for elucidating stage-dependent structural and functional charactericsics and for in vitro regulatory studies. Using incorporation of [3H]thymidine into acid-insoluble molecules as a measure of DNA synthesis by spermatocysts (germ cell/Sertoli cell units) of premeiotic stages, we obtained evidence of a growth inhibitory bioactivity (chalone) within the testis. This activity is differentially distributed (postmeiotic > meiotic > premeiotic), suggesting that more advanced developmental stages, which are upstream in the vascular pathway within the testis, may control the size of the proliferating spermatocyst population and, hence, the advance of less mature stages. These data provide direct evidence for humoral communication between stages of spermatogenesis.
Resumé
La spermatogenèse est un processus original du développement impliquant, dans sa régulation, des multiples interactions cellulaires et des molécules de différentes familles. A l'opposé des modèles biologiques mammaliens conventionnels, pour lesquels l'organisation testiculaire est très complexe, le testicule de l'aiguillat, Squalus acanthias, offre des avantages méthodologiques pour la caractérisation structurale et fonctionnelle des stades de développement, et la mise en oeuvre d'études de régulation in vitro. En utilisant l'incorporation d'[3H]thymidine dans la fraction acido-précipitable comme estimation de synthèse d'ADN par des spermatocystes (unités cellules germinales/cellules de Sertoli) prémeïotiques, nous avons mis en évidence l'existence d'une activité inhibitrice testiculaire de croissance (chalone). Cette activité est distribuée de manière différentielle entre stades: postmeïotique > meïotique > prémeïotique; ce qui suggère que les stades de développement les plus avancés, stades situés en amont de la vascularisation testiculaire, peuvent contrôler la taille de la population proliférante de spermatocystes et, de là, le développment de stades plus précoces. Ces résultats apportent l'évidence directe d'une communication humorale entre stades spermatogénétiques.
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Piferrer, F., Redding, M., DuBois, W. et al. Stimulatory and inhibitory regulation of DNA synthesis during spermatogenesis: studies in Squalus acanthias . Fish Physiol Biochem 11, 293–298 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00004578
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00004578