Primary rat sertoli and interstitial cells exhibit a differential response to cadmium

Two cell types central to the support of spermatogenesis, the Sertoli cell and the interstitial (Leydig) cell, were isolated from the same cohort of young male rats and challenged with cadmium chloride to compare their susceptibility to the metal. Both cell types were cultured under similar conditions, and similar biochemical endpoints were chosen to minimize experimental variability. These endpoints include the uptake of ¹⁰⁹Cd, reduction of the vital tetrazolium dye MTT, incorporation of ³ H-leucine, change in heat-stable cadmium binding capacity, and production of lactate. Using these parameters, it was observed that the Sertoli cell cultures were adversely affected in a dose-and time-dependent manner, while the interstitial cell cultures, treated with identical concentrations of CdCl₂, were less affected. The 72-hr LC₅₀'s for Sertoli cells and interstitial cells were 4.1 and 19.6 M CdCl₂, respectively. Thus, different cell populations within the same tissue may differ markedly in susceptibility to a toxicant. These in vitro data suggest that the Sertoli cell, in relation to the interstitium, is particularly sensitive to cadmium. Because the Sertoli cell provides functional support for the seminiferous epithelium, the differential sensitivity of this cell type may, in part, explain cadmium-induced testicular dysfunction, particularly at doses that leave the vascular epithelium intact.Abbreviations CBF cadmium-binding factor - DMEM Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium - FSH follicle stimulating hormone - ICC interstitial cell culture - IGF-I insulin-like growth factor-I - LC(50) 50% lethal concentration - MTT 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) - SCC Sertoli cell culture This work was supported by NIEHS ESO4141 and NIH HD-08358 (AHP).Preliminary results of some of this work were reported at the 26th Annual Meeting of the Society of Toxicology (1987), Washington, DC.