Morphological and histometric study on the human Sertoli cell from birth to the onset of puberty.

In order to evaluate the changes in the number and form of the Sertoli cell from birth to the onset of puberty, a histometric and ultrastructural study was carried out in normal children. Ultrastructural findings revealed that immature Sertoli cells, present from birth to puberty, show round to elliptical nuclei, with regular outlines and small nucleoli. The cytoplasm exhibits well developed rough endoplasmic reticulum, prominent supranuclear Golgi complexes and vesicles at the luminal face; smooth endoplasmic reticulum was scarce. Histometric study revealed a progressive decrease in the Sertoli cell number per transverse tubular section as well as per unit area of testicular parenchyma, mainly from 3 years onwards. However, this decrease seemed to be the result of the progressive increase in the testicular volume as well as in the length and width of the seminiferous tubules, without change in the total Sertoli cell number per testis. This number may be considered constant, not only for adult testes but also for postnatal developing testes.