Follicle-stimulating hormone induces spermatogenesis mediated by androgen production in Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) plays important roles in spermatogenesis. However, the biologic activity of FSH can vary in different vertebrate classes, and the definitive function of FSH has not been established. In this study, we investigated the functions of FSH on spermatogenesis using an in vitro culture system for Japanese eel testis. The eel Fsh receptor was expressed in testis tissue during the whole process of spermatogenesis, mainly by Leydig cells that produce steroid hormones and by Sertoli cells surrounding type A spermatogonia and early type B spermatogonia. In an in vitro organ culture, recombinant eel Fsh (r-eFsh) induced complete spermatogenesis from the proliferation of spermatogonia to spermiogenesis during 36 days of culture; also, spermatozoa were observed in the testicular fragments. Spermatogenesis induced by r-eFsh was inhibited by trilostane, a specific inhibitor of 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. However, trilostane did not inhibit spermatogenesis induced by 11-ketotestosterone. These results clearly show that the main function of FSH in eel is to induce spermatogenesis via stimulating androgen production.