open access

Vol 45, No 3 (2007)
Original paper
Submitted: 2011-12-19
Published online: 2007-10-24
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Rat epididymal epithelial cells and 17beta-estradiol synthesis under hCG stimulation in vitro.

Malgorzata Awider-Al-Amawi, Mariola Marchlewicz, Agnieszka Kolasa, Lidia Wenda-Rozewicka, Barbara Wiszniewska
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2007;45(3):255-263.

open access

Vol 45, No 3 (2007)
ORIGINAL PAPERS
Submitted: 2011-12-19
Published online: 2007-10-24

Abstract

Epithelial cells of human and animal epididymis display features of steroidogenic cells. Rat epididymal epithelial cells in vitro produce androgens which are converted to 17beta-estradiol, and released into the medium. The regulation of the epididymal steroidogenesis is not fully understood but it could be expected that it remains under LH influence. In previous study we observed that the morphology of rat epididymal epithelial cells in vitro was affected by hCG and the increase of amount of lipid droplets, glycogen and PAS-positive substances was observed. The present studies show the organelles which take part in synthesis of steroids in rat epididymal epithelial cells in vitro and the effect of hCG on E2 synthesis. The cells were cultured in the medium with/without DHT and without DHT in supplementation with hCG. After hCG stimulation the amount of an active mitochondria were increased when compared to the amount of mitochondria in the epididymal epithelial cells cultured without DHT. Ultrastructure of the cells was similar to the cells cultured with DHT, while the cytoplasm of the cells cultured without DHT was disorganized. The synthesis of 17beta-estradiol was stimulated by hCG, that exerted its effect through LH/hCG receptors, localized in the epididymal epithelial cells.

Abstract

Epithelial cells of human and animal epididymis display features of steroidogenic cells. Rat epididymal epithelial cells in vitro produce androgens which are converted to 17beta-estradiol, and released into the medium. The regulation of the epididymal steroidogenesis is not fully understood but it could be expected that it remains under LH influence. In previous study we observed that the morphology of rat epididymal epithelial cells in vitro was affected by hCG and the increase of amount of lipid droplets, glycogen and PAS-positive substances was observed. The present studies show the organelles which take part in synthesis of steroids in rat epididymal epithelial cells in vitro and the effect of hCG on E2 synthesis. The cells were cultured in the medium with/without DHT and without DHT in supplementation with hCG. After hCG stimulation the amount of an active mitochondria were increased when compared to the amount of mitochondria in the epididymal epithelial cells cultured without DHT. Ultrastructure of the cells was similar to the cells cultured with DHT, while the cytoplasm of the cells cultured without DHT was disorganized. The synthesis of 17beta-estradiol was stimulated by hCG, that exerted its effect through LH/hCG receptors, localized in the epididymal epithelial cells.
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About this article
Title

Rat epididymal epithelial cells and 17beta-estradiol synthesis under hCG stimulation in vitro.

Journal

Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica

Issue

Vol 45, No 3 (2007)

Article type

Original paper

Pages

255-263

Published online

2007-10-24

Page views

1498

Article views/downloads

1258

Bibliographic record

Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2007;45(3):255-263.

Authors

Malgorzata Awider-Al-Amawi
Mariola Marchlewicz
Agnieszka Kolasa
Lidia Wenda-Rozewicka
Barbara Wiszniewska

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