干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

The testis is composed of cells from different embryological origins. While the Sertoli cells originate from the mesonephros, the germ cells originate from the yolk sac. Desert hedgehog (Dhh) signaling plays an essential role M the development of the testis and in spermatogenesis. Three of the Patched family of hedgehog receptors. Ptc1, Ptc2 and Ptc3, are expressed in the seminiferous epithelium. However, the role of Ptc1 in spermatogenesis is unknown. Here we examined the expression of Dhh. Ptc1 and Smo in the mouse and rat seminiferous epithelium and demonstrated that Dhh is expressed by Sertoli cells, whereas Ptc1 and Smo are expressed by diplotene spermatocytes round and condensing spermatids. The findings suggest that Sertoli cells coordinate Dhh-dependent spermatogenesis events via Ptc1 and Smo prior to the first meiotic division and in post meiotic cells.