Regulation of lactate production by FSH, IL1 beta, and TNF alpha in rat Sertoli cells

One of the "nurse cell" functions of Sertoli cells is to provide lactate fo r the energy production in spermatocytes and spermatids. The present study shows that, as in porcine Sertoli cells, interleukin (IL)1 beta and follicl e-stimulating hormone (FSH) increase lactate production in rat Sertoli cell s (basal, 9.1 +/- 1.0; FSH (100 ng/ml), 16.6 +/- 2.0; IL1 beta (50 ng/ml), 13.3 +/- 1.6 mug/mug DNA). Increments in glucose uptake (basal, 1083 +/- 70 ; FSH, 2686 +/- 128; IL1 beta, 1899 +/- 74 dpm/mug DNA), lactic dehydrogena se (LDH) activity (basal, 36.6 +/- 4.1; FSH, 52.2 +/- 4.9; IL1 beta, 55.3 /- 5.1 mUL/mug DNA), LDH A mRNA levels, and redistribution of LDH isozymes are involved in these stimulatory effects. Differences in the period requir ed by IL1 beta to increase glucose uptake, as compared with the porcine mod el, have been observed. In addition, tumor necrosis factor or (TNF alpha), one of the major stimulators for lactate production in porcine Sertoli cell s, does not control the secretion of this glucose metabolite in rat Sertoli cells. Lactate production may be regulated differently among mammals. (C) 2001 Academic Press.