The Sertoli cell, which was initially identified by Enrico Sertoli in 1865, performs a critical role during the process of spermatogenesis. Sertoli cells are recognized as ‘nurse cells’ that are responsible for extending nutritional and energy support to the development of germ cells. It has been widely demonstrated that germ cells require a sufficient level of energy resources, otherwise they decay and enter apoptosis (13,14). The development of germ cells requires specific metabolic substrates, such as lactate, which is used as a substrate for ATP production (15). Through the secretion of metabolic intermediates or nutrients, including carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, metal ions and amino acids, Sertoli cells provide the nutritional requirements of germ cells (16,17).Additionally, through characteristic zones of cellular membrane tight junctions, Sertoli cells form connections with one another and divide the germinal epithelium into an adluminal and a basal compartment; the blood-testis barrier of the testis is also formed by these tight junctions. After passing this barrier, the germ cells are protected from extraneous substance diffusion in the adluminal compartment during spermatogenesis (2). Therefore, the blood-testis barrier acts as a multifunctional boundary between haploid and diploid germ cells, in addition to separating testicular tissue from blood. Furthermore, a functional Sertoli cell provides energy, differentiation factors and adequate mitogens to the developing germ cells, and prevents them from harm that may result from the host's own immune system (18). Sertoli cells also produce various types of enzymes, growth factors and hormones, including plasminogen activator, ABP, ceruloplasmin, insulin-like growth factor, transforming growth factors α and β, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin B (2,18).
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