Primary Culture and Identification of Rat Testicular Sertoli Cells in Vitro and Expression of Inhibin Inside the Cells

Objective:To establish a primary culture method of rat testicular Sertoli cells and study the expressions of inhibin in Sertoli cells.Methods:Sertoli cells aged 18-22 days were separated and cultured from rat testes and the biological characteristics of Sertoli cells were observed,and the expressions of inhibin α,βA and βB subunits in Sertoli cells were detected by means of immunohistochemistry.Results:Sertoli cells in rat testicles were successfully cultured in vitro in the present study and the degree of purity in rat Sertoli cells was more than 90% of the total cells.Sertoli cells in vitro were positive for Inhibin α,βA and βB subunits.Conclusion:In vitro culture method of rat Sertoli cells was successfully established.Sertoli cells in vitro were positive for inhibin α,βA and βB subunits and rat testicular Sertoli cells were capable of producing inhibin and proven to be the major source of inhibin.