Suresh R, Medhamurthy R, Moudgal N R
Primate Research Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Biology and Molecular Endocrinology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
Am J Reprod Immunol. 1995 Jul;34(1):35-43. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.1995.tb00917.x.
It is yet to be determined clearly whether the two hormones FSH and T act synergistically in the same cell type--the Sertoli cells--to control overall spermatogenesis or influence independently the transformation of specific germ cell types during spermatogenesis in the adult mammal.
Adult male bonnet monkeys specifically deprived of either FSH or LH using immunoneutralization techniques were monitored for changes in testicular germ cell transformation by DNA flow cytometry.
FSH deprivation caused a significant reduction ( > 40%; P < 0.05) in [3H] thymidine incorporation into DNA of proliferating 2C (spermatogonial) cells, a marked inhibition ( > 50%) in the transformation of 2C to primary spermatocytes (4C) and a concomitant, belated reduction (50%) in the formation of round spermatids (1C). In contrast, specific LH/T deprivation led to an immediate arrest in the meiotic transformation of 4C to 1C/HC leading to an effective and significant block ( < 90%; P < 0.01) in sperm production.
Thus, LH rather than FSH deprivation has a more pronounced and immediate effect as the former primarily blocks meiosis (4C --> 1C/HC) which controls production of spermatids. These data provide evidence for LH/T and FSH regulating spermatogenic process in the adult primate by primarily acting at specific germ cell transformation steps.
