Morphological studies on prespermatogonia and pre-Sertoli cells in the testes of 6- to 11-day-old golden hamsters.

The developmental progression of prespermatogenesis in the testes of 6- to 11-day-old golden hamsters has been studied by means of light and electron microscopy. The solid testicular cords prove to be built up by germ and supporting (pre-Sertoli) cells. The germ cells are present as centrally placed T1-prespermatogonia on days 6-7. Subsequently they develop into T2-prespermatogonia, shifting towards a more peripheral position within the testicular cords. From day 10 onwards, most of the germ cells are A-spermatogonia now occupying a marginal position within the cords. The supporting cells still proliferate during this period and can be subdivided into two distinct cell types, light-staining and dark-staining supporting cells. The numerical proportion of the two cell types continuously changes in favour of the light-staining ones. These light supporting cells appear to maintain a conspicuous spatial relationship to the germ cells throughout the whole developmental period observed here. The significance of the two types of supporting cells is discussed. The topographical arrangement of germ cells and light supporting cells, as found in the 6- to 11-day-old golden hamster testes, could imply a possible functional role in the regulation of germ cell development.