Retinol binding protein in rat testicular cells

Abstract

Cellular retinol-binding protein (CRBP) was identified in the cytosol of cultured Sertoli cells and peritubular cells from the testes of 20 day old rats. CRBP was not detected in spermatids or spermatocytes obtained from the testes of 60 day old rats. Cultured Sertoli cells and peritubular cells contained up to a 5-fold enrichment of CRBP/mg protein compared to whole testis homogenates. FSH[follicle stimulating hormone]- or FSH + testosterone-treated cultures of Sertoli cells showed a 60% increase in the specific activity of CRBP when compared to untreated cultures.