Effect of N-acetylsphingosine (C2) and the ceramidase inhibitor (1S,2R)-D-erythro-2-(N-myristoylamino)-1-phenyl-1-propanol on the regulation of Sertoli cell function

In the present study, a possible role of ceramide in the regulation of Sertoli cell function was investigated. Intracellular ceramide levels were increased by adding N‐acetylsphingosine (C2) or by inhibiting ceramidase with (1S,2R)‐D‐eiythro‐2‐(Aknyristoylamino)‐1‐phenyl‐1‐propanol (MAPP). Cultured Sertoli cells were stimulated for 3 days with different doses of C2, MAPP, and their corresponding inactive analogs. The effect of these drugs was evaluated along four well‐known Sertoli cell parameters: lactate and transferrin secretion, γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase (γ‐GTP) activity, and estradiol production. C2 and MAPP increased lactate production and decreased transferrin secretion. The inactive analogs did not produce any effect. In FSH (follicle‐stimulating hormone)‐stimulated cultures, C2 and MAPP produced a further increment in lactate production and decreased FSH‐stimulated transferrin secretion. No effect was observed under basal or FSH‐stimulated γ‐GTP activity, and both treatments decreased estradiol production in response to FSH. Results obtained in dbcAMP (dibutyryladenosine 3′:5′‐cyclic monophosphate)‐stimulated cultures suggest that the observed effects of ceramide on transferrin secretion are secondary to a decrease in cAMP production, whereas the effects of ceramide on lactate and estradiol productions are post‐cAMP formation regulatory events. In summary, our results show that ceramide can regulate Sertoli cell function. Similar to what has been observed for other signaling molecules, ceramide can interact with the FSH‐dependent pathway, but the precise steps involved in this interaction are still unknown.