APPLICATION OF CONFOCAL LASER-SCANNING MI CROSCOPY FOR STUDYING THE EFFECT OF EGF ON THE SPERMATIC EPITHELIUM

Effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on pH transients in aggregate s of Sertoli cells and germinal cells have been investigated with conf ocal microscopy using a fluorescent pH sensitive indicator. In some Se rtoli cells EGF caused a rapid rise in the pH whereas other Sertoli ce lls did not respond to EGF. Some Sertoli cells showed a delayed respon se which coincidated with a similar pH change in neighbouring germinal cells. Since isolated germinal cells never showed a pH response after exposure to EGF, we have concluded that some Sertoli cells may commun icate with germinal cells via gap junctions.