Functional changes of mice Sertoli cells induced by Cr(V).

Transport of macromolecules from the interstitial testis tissue to cells at the adlumenal compartment of the seminiferous epithelium occurs naturally through Sertoli cells. In previous studies we have shown that Cr(V) intoxication disturbed spermatogenesis in mice. To test if Sertoli cells are affected by chromium, a well proved carcinogen, the uptake and the horseradish peroxidase transport ability of isolated seminiferous tubules of mice administered with a chromium(V) compound, have been studied. Male CD-R mice were exposed daily for 5 days to [CrV-BT]2- through subcutaneous injection and comparisons were made with groups of vehicle-treated mice. Using an in vitro assay we demonstrated that the seminiferous tubules were able to uptake and transport the tracer, in a much faster way than controls, mainly via intercellular and transcellular pathways, providing evidence that this functional role of Sertoli cells is affected by the Cr(V) compound. These findings might improve the knowledge on the toxicity mechanisms of chromium.