Effects of Cytosine Arabinoside on Properties of Testicular Preparations in Culture

Abstract

The incorporation of [³H]-thymidine into Sertoli cell-enriched preparations or into seminiferous tubule explants is increased when cells are cultured in the presence of serum. Enhanced thymidine uptake and the accompanying proliferation of peritubular myoid cells and fibroblast-like cells in testicular preparations cultured in a serum-enriched medium are greatly inhibited by cytosine arabinoside (3 μg/ml). Rates of secretion of androgen-binding protein and plasminogen activator by Sertoli cells in testicular preparations are not inhibited by this concentration of cytosine arabinoside. In contrast, optimal Sertoli cell function is not maintained in testicular preparations cultured in the presence of D-valine or cis-hydroxyproline at concentrations required to inhibit fibroblast growth. We conclude that cytosine arabinoside, at a concentration which does not impair functions of nondividing Sertoli cells, can be utilized to inhibit overgrowth by fibro-blast-like cells of testicular preparations cultured in a serum-enriched medium. In seminiferous tubule explants, the initial proportions of Sertoli cells to peritubular myoid cells can thereby be maintained during prolonged culture.