Primary culture of supporting cells from bovine testes.

Supporting cells from 6- to 8-wk-old bovine calf testes were maintained in cell culture and were characterized morphologically and biochemically. Light and electron microscopy showed that the cultures consisted principally of supporting cells that were identified as epithelial cells with nucleolar vesicles. The bovine supporting cells in culture responded to follicle stimulating hormone with increased cAMP synthesis and enhanced incorporation of [3H]leucine into secreted proteins. No androgen binding protein could be detected in the medium.