Effect of tunicamycin, an inhibitor of protein glycosylation, on testicular cord organization in fetal mouse gonadal explants in vitro.

The effect of tunicamycin (TM) on testicular cord organization in the fetal mouse was examined in vitro at light and electron microscopic levels, with special reference to the glycoprotein functions during Sertoli cell differentiation. In testicular explants treated with TM, testicular cord organization was inhibited. TM treatment affected basal lamina formation by Sertoli cells, resulting in a discontinuous basal lamina or none at all in certain areas. The disorganized Sertoli cells were amorphous in shape, exhibited poor epithelial polarity, and were irregularly arranged in the testicular parenchyma. Extracellular matrix and collagen fibers were often observed in the intercellular spaces between the disorganized Sertoli cells. Lectin histochemical observation revealed that the number of wheat germ agglutinin binding sites on the plasma membrane and basal lamina of disorganized Sertoli cells was significantly decreased by TM treatment. However, junctions were normally observed in the plasma membrane between disorganized Sertoli cells. Leydig cells showed a normal differentiation in the testicular parenchyma in the presence of TM. These observations suggest that basal lamina formation of Sertoli cells and/or the expression of their cell surface glycoconjugates may be crucial for the establishment of Sertoli cell polarity and/or the Sertoli-Sertoli cell interactions required for proper testicular cord formation. Sertoli cell organization into testicular cords and Leydig cell differentiation may be controlled by different regulatory mechanisms.