1. Long-term effects of early postnatal stress on Sertoli cells.
- Author
-
Thumfart KM, Lazzeri S, Manuella F, and Mansuy IM
- Abstract
Sertoli cells are somatic cells in testis essential for spermatogenesis, that support the development, maturation, and differentiation of germ cells. Sertoli cells are metabolically highly active and physiologically regulated by external signals, particularly factors in the blood stream. In disease conditions, circulating pathological signals may affect Sertoli cells and consequentially, alter germ cells and fertility. While the effects of stress on reproductive cells have been well studied, how Sertoli cells respond to stress remains poorly characterized. We used a mouse model of early postnatal stress to assess the effects of stress on Sertoli cells. We developed an improved strategy based on intracellular stainings and obtained enriched preparations of Sertoli cells from exposed males. We show that adult Sertoli cells have impaired electron transport chain (ETC) pathways and that several components of ETC complexes particularly complex I, III, and IV are persistently affected. We identify serum as potential mediator of the effects of stress on Sertoli cells by showing that it can recapitulate ETC alterations in primary cells. These results highlight Sertoli cells as cellular targets of stress in early life that can keep a trace of exposure until adulthood., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Thumfart, Lazzeri, Manuella and Mansuy.)
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF