Abstract
Sertoli cells support spermatogenesis both spatially and energetically; for this reason,
these cells have important adaptations. The energetic metabolism of Sertoli cells
was adapted to provide lactate and pyruvate to developing germ cells, because these
substrates are essential for spermatocytes and spermatids. In this study, we investigated
whether Sertoli cells use alanine, leucine, valine, and glycine as energetic substrates
and whether the simultaneous addition of other nutrients, such as glucose and glutamine,
might affect the metabolism of these amino acids. Alanine, leucine, valine, and glutamine
are almost totally oxidized to CO2 by these cells. In contrast, glycine has been demonstrated to be a poor energetic
substrate, being mainly incorporated into proteins, and their metabolism did not change
in the presence of palmitic acid, glucose, and/or glutamine. The metabolism of the
3 other amino acids was modified by palmitic acid; besides, glucose changed alanine,
leucine, and valine oxidation. Glutamine decreased the oxidation of alanine, leucine,
and valine to CO2. Conversely, both alanine and leucine decreased the oxidation of glutamine. Our present
findings show that Sertoli cells can adapt its energy metabolism to the oxidative
substrates available to fulfill their role in spermatogenic energetic supply.
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
November 18,
2004
Received in revised form:
October 6,
2004
Received:
November 11,
2003
Identification
Copyright
© 2005 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
