Cyclical and Patch-Like GDNF Distribution along the Basal Surface of Sertoli Cells in Mouse and Hamster Testes
Figure 4
Cyclical changes in immunoreactive GDNF deposits and their close co-localization with GFRα1-positive spermatogonia in hamsters.
(A–D) Whole-mount immunostaining (without permeabilization) of seminiferous tubules showing GDNF-positive deposits (green) and GFRα1-positive spermatogonia (red) in the basal compartment of the seminiferous epithelia. In panel A, the right inset plate indicates a moderately magnified image of the right-half area of the left plate, showing a striatal distribution of the patch-like GDNF-positive signals in the border region between GDNF-negative to -high area. Panels B-D are higher magnification images of the tubule of panel A (B, the border region between GDNF-high and -low/negative areas; C, GDNF-low/negative area; D, GDNF-high area). Arrowheads indicate GFRα1-positive spermatogonia with long slender cell processes. (E–G) Higher magnified images (green, GDNF; red, GFRα1; blue, DAPI) show the close co-localization of GDNF deposits and a subpopulation of GFRα1-positive spermatogonia. The long cell processes (arrowheads) or cell bodies (open arrows) are closely associated with some GDNF-positive deposits. Scale bars represent 1 mm in A, 100 µm in D, and 10 µm in E, G.