TRIIODOTHYRONINE EFFECTS ON SERTOLI-CELL PROTEIN-TURNOVER IN THE PREPUBERTAL PIG

The direct effect of Tri-iodothyronine (T3 : 0.1-100 nM) on protein tu rnover was studied using primary cultures of Sertoli cells isolated fr om immature piglet testis. The results demonstrate that T3 significant ly increases protein synthesis without altering the protein degradatio n rate. These data and previous ones, showing the presence of specific T3 receptors in Sertoli cell nuclei, indicate that T3 plays a fundame ntal role in the early regulation of porcine Sertoli cell growth and m aturation.