Effect of testicular damage induced by cryptorchidism on insulin-like growth factor I receptors in rat Sertoli cells.

The distribution and density of functional insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) receptors in cryptorchid and scrotal rat testes and epididymides during gonadal development were studied. Cryptorchidism was induced by unilateral gubernaculectomy in 4-day-old animals, and organs were studied at 15, 30, 60 and 90 days of age. Tissue membranes were assayed for 125I-labelled IGF-I binding. Characterization and specificity of binding sites showed that both normal and contralateral undescended testes and epididymides exhibited typical type 1 IGF receptors. In normal testes, IGF-I receptor density was 20.6 nmol g-1 wet mass at day 15, and decreased to 12.8 nmol g-1 wet mass at adult age (day 90). Cryptorchid testes showed IGF-I receptor concentrations similar to normal testes at day 15 and day 30, but in postpubertal stages displayed a divergent pattern, with a continuous increase at day 60 and day 90, reaching a higher density than those found for immature ages (62 nmol g-1 wet mass). Both normal and cryptorchid epididymides had a similar concentration and a comparable decrease in IGF-I receptors throughout development. In studies with immunohistochemical techniques (alpha IR-3 antibody), IGF-I receptors were found in primary spermatocytes, Sertoli cells and Leydig cells. Cryptorchid tubules showed a lack of germinal epithelium and a marked increase of immunoreactive IGF-I receptors in Sertoli cells, compared with normal tubules from scrotal testes. Intense immunoreactivity for IGF-I receptors was present in the principal cells of epididymal tubules in both normal and cryptorchid organs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)