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Estrogens Potentiate the Stimulatory Effects of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone on N-Cadherin Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Levels in Cultured Mouse Sertoli Cells¹

Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, McGill University, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 1A1; and the Department of Physiology, McGill University (R.F.), Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3G 1Y6

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. Orest W. Blaschuk, Urology Research Laboratories, Royal Victoria Hospital, 687 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 1A1. E-mail: MDOB{at}MUSICA.McGILL.CA

Gonadal steroids and FSH are key regulators of Sertoli cell function. N-Cadherin (N-cad) is a calcium-dependent cell adhesion molecule that mediates Sertoli cell-germ cell interactions. We recently demonstrated that steroids, in particular estradiol, are potent regulators of testicular N-cad messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in vivo. In view of the cooperative effects of steroids and FSH on Sertoli cell-germ cell interactions, we examined the combined effects of these hormones on N-cad mRNA levels in cultured mouse Sertoli cells. FSH was capable of increasing N-cad mRNA levels 2-fold in these cells. The effects of FSH on N-cad mRNA levels in cultured Sertoli cells were mimicked by cAMP-inducing agents. Treatment of the Sertoli cell cultures with FSH and estradiol stimulated N-cad mRNA levels 3-fold, whereas steroids alone had no effect on N-cad mRNA levels. These studies demonstrate that FSH and estradiol in combination are required to achieve maximal N-cad mRNA levels in cultured Sertoli cells. The results obtained from these studies substantiate the hypothesis that estrogens play a pivotal role in regulating spermatogenesis.

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