Radiation effect on rat Sertoli cell function in vitro and in vivo

Purpose : To investigate the response of Sertoli cell function to 60Co gamma -rays. Materials and methods : Rat Sertoli cells were exposed in vitro and in vivo to 60Co gamma -rays in the dose range 3Gy to 48Gy and at 3Gy and 6Gy respectively. Cell viability and transferrin and IL-6 production were measured at different times following irradiation. Results : This study confirms the resistance of in vitro irradiated rat Sertoli cells in the dose range 3Gy to 48Gy in terms of cell number. Radiation had no effect on the IL-1 activity of Sertoli cells. However, the experiments show that despite the absence of a macroscopic effect, Sertoli cells respond to ionizing radiation by increasing transferrin secretion, transferrin response to (Bu)2 cAMP stimulation and IL-6 activity. Conclusions : Transferrin is involved in the transport of iron into germ cells and in cell di fferentiation. IL-6 is a potent inhibitor of meiotic DNA synthesis. Radio-induced transferrin and IL-6 could play a role in the protection of germ cells and could explain, in part, the resistance of Sertoli cells to radiation.