The microstructure of sertoli cell development and blood-testis barrier formation

The aim of this study was to investigate the development rules of sertoli cell and blood-testis barrier in the process of pig testis development, and provide theoretical and practical basis for the research and application of blood-testis barrier and the male germ cells in pig. 7, 30, 60, 70, 90 and 110 day-old Min pig testis were used in the current study to make paraffin sections and electron microscopic sections, and immunofluorescence staining was performed. The results showed that the 7 day-old pig sertoli cells grew on the basement membrane in the tubal wall of the seminiferous tubules. With the increase of the age, the germ cells migrated to the basement membrane, pushing the sertoli cells to the central side of the lumen. At 60 day-old, the germ cells and sertoli cells were embedded and arranged,and the cytoplasm of the sertoli cells was particularly developed. The cytoplasm was connected to each other, and the blood-testis barrier began to form. At 70 day-old, the central lumen was filled with sertoli cells of cytoplasm, which were connected. At 90 day-old, there were a large number of primary spermatocytes and spermatocytes attached to the cytoplasm of the sertoli cells, and there was a connection between the sertoli cells. At 110 day-old, there were deformed sperm in the lumen. In conclusion, the formation of blood-testis barrier in the sertoli cells is between 60 to 90 dayold. After 90 day-old, the blood-testis barrier has complete function and can support spermatogenesis.