Sertoli cells as a target for reproductive hazards

Male fertility can be impaired by various toxicants. Some of them are known to target mainly Sertoli cells, which play an essential role in spermatoge nesis. In this study, the in vitro response of immature rat Sertoli cells t o various environmental pollutants, including pesticides, oestrogenic compo unds and heavy metals, has been investigated. Mitochondrial dehydrogenase a ctivity has been used to measure Sertoli cell viability, while production o f lactate and secretion of inhibin B have been used as general and specific cell markers. Sertoli cell viability was not affected after 24-h exposure to lindane, DDT, ethinyloestradiol or bisphenol A in the concentration rang e analysed (up to 100, 25 or 50 mu M, respectively). In contrast, mercury(I I) (EC50=31 mu M) and cisplatin (15% decrease in viability at 100 CIM) indu ced some cytotoxic effect. With the exception of the pesticide DDT, all che micals investigated induced a significant dose-dependent increase in lactat e production after 24-h. exposure to Sertoli cells. Owing to the cytotoxic effect of mercury(II), lactate levels dropped again at concentrations above 20 mu M. The pesticide lindane (but not DDT) and both oestrogens significa ntly increased the production of the Sertoli cell specific hormone inhibin B without affecting cell viability. In contrast, the heavy metals mercury(I I) and platinum(II) markedly decreased inhibin B levels. This sharp decreas e was already significant at metal concentrations that reduced Sertoli cell viability only moderately (10-15%). In conclusion, the secretion of lactat e and inhibin B by immature rat Sertoli cells seems to be a useful and sens itive marker with which to explore potential Sertoli cell toxicants.