Regulation of Lactate Production by FSH, IL1β, and TNFα in Rat Sertoli Cells

One of the “nurse cell” functions of Sertoli cells is to provide lactate for the energy production in spermatocytes and spermatids. The present study shows that, as in porcine Sertoli cells, interleukin (IL)1β and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) increase lactate production in rat Sertoli cells (basal, 9.1 ± 1.0; FSH (100 ng/ml), 16.6 ± 2.0; IL1β (50 ng/ml), 13.3 ± 1.6 μg/μg DNA). Increments in glucose uptake (basal, 1083 ± 70; FSH, 2686 ± 128; IL1β, 1899 ± 74 dpm/μg DNA), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activity (basal, 36.6 ± 4.1; FSH, 52.2 ± 4.9; IL1β, 55.3 ± 5.1 mUI/μg DNA), LDH A mRNA levels, and redistribution of LDH isozymes are involved in these stimulatory effects. Differences in the period required by IL1β to increase glucose uptake, as compared with the porcine model, have been observed. In addition, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), one of the major stimulators for lactate production in porcine Sertoli cells, does not control the secretion of this glucose metabolite in rat Sertoli cells. Lactate production may be regulated differently among mammals.