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

Purpose: To investigate the response of Sertoli cell function to Co-60 gamma-rays. Materials and methods: Rat Sertoli cells were exposed in vitro and in vivo to Co-60 gamma-rays in the dose range 3 Gy to 48 Gy and at 3Gy and 6Gy respectively. Cell viability and transferrin and IL-6 production were measured at different limes following irradiation. Results: This study confirms the resistance of in vitro irradiated rat Sertoli cells in the dose range 3 Gy to 48 Gy 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 rile transport of iron into germ cells and in cell differentiation. 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.