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The metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids in rat sertoli and germinal cells
Author(s) -
Beckman J. K.,
Coniglio J. G.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
lipids
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.601
H-Index - 120
eISSN - 1558-9307
pISSN - 0024-4201
DOI - 10.1007/bf02534061
Subject(s) - sertoli cell , docosapentaenoic acid , metabolism , biochemistry , arachidonic acid , biology , spermatogenesis , chemistry , medicine , endocrinology , polyunsaturated fatty acid , fatty acid , docosahexaenoic acid , enzyme
Abstract The metabolism of [1‐ 14 C]linoleic, [1‐ 14 C]arachidonic and [3‐ 14 C]docosa‐4,7,10,13,16‐pentaenoic acids was investigated after intratesticular injection of the labeled compounds and isolation of rat Sertoli and germinal cells. Following injection of either 14 C‐linoleate or 14 C‐arachidonate, the specific activity (sp act) of docosa‐4,7,10,13,16‐pentaenoic acid of Sertoli cells was greater than that of the germinal cells. The data suggest that the Sertoli cells are more active in the biosynthesis of the 22‐carbon pentaene than the germinal cells. Differences between these 2 cell types were also noted in the distribution of the incorporated 14 C among the various lipid classes. Following intratesticular injection of 14 C‐docosapentaenoic acid, a greater proportion of the recovered 14 C in Sertoli cells than in germinal cells was present in 20‐carbon fatty acids, suggesting a greater activity in Sertoli cells in the metabolism of the pentaene. The major portion of the recovered 14 C in both cell types was present in triacylglycerols during early time periods and in phospholipids after 24 hr. The possibility of transfer of biosynthesized docosapentaenoic acid from Sertoli to germinal cells is discussed.