Summary of the proceedings of the IVth testis Workshop Toronto, 25–27 May 1977

• Published in: Molecular and cellular endocrinology Vol. 9; no. 2; pp. 121 - 132
• Main Authors: Fritz, I.B., Dorrington, J.H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.12.1977
• Subjects: androgen binding protein; Androgens - metabolism; Animals; Cells, Cultured; cyclic AMP; Cyclic AMP - metabolism; development; Epididymis - metabolism; Genes; Humans; Leydig cells; Leydig Cells - cytology; Luteinizing Hormone - pharmacology; Male; morphology; Rabbits; Rats; receptors; rete testis fluid; Sertoli cells; Sertoli Cells - cytology; Sertoli Cells - physiology; Spermatogenesis; steroid metabolism; testis; Testis - cytology; Testis - embryology; Testis - physiology; workshop; development; morphology; steroid metabolism; receptors; workshop; Leydig cells; spermatogenesis; rete testis fluid; cyclic AMP; testis; androgen binding protein; Sertoli cells
• ISSN: 0303-7207; 1872-8057
• DOI: 10.1016/0303-7207(77)90114-9

The subject of the IVth Testis Workshop was ‘Structural and functional changes in testicular cells during different stages of maturation’. The highlights of the discussions have been summarized in the form of answers to the following questions: (a) Is there a direct androgen action on germinal cells? (b) How do germ cells penetrate the blood-testis barrier? (c) Are there specific recognition sites which influence interactions among cells in the seminiferous tubules? (d)What determines the chemical composition of primary tubular fluid and rete testis fluid? (e)What biochemical changes are associated with Sertoli cell maturation? (f) What regulates ABP production and secretion? (g) What changes in testicular steroid metabolism occur during development? (h) What regulates Leydig cell responses to LH? (i) Is cyclic AMP an obligatory intermediate involved in mediation of LH-induced steroidogenesis by Leydig cells? (j) What other intermediates may be involved in mediation of increased steroidogenesis by Leydig cells in response to LH or cyclic AMP derivatives? (k) What controls the expression of genes during spermiogenesis? (1) What improvements have been made in isolating homogeneous populations of testicular cells?