# FERTILITY AND SERTOLI CELL DEVELOPMENT

> **NIH NIH R01** · TEMPLE UNIV OF THE COMMONWEALTH · 1994 · $164,549

## Abstract

The general aim of this proposal is to provide a clearer understanding of
events that occur during early postnatal development of the testis which
play a critical role in forming the foundation for spermatogenesis, and
hence fertility, in the adult. To this end, the PI will study in detail
the way in which neonatal gonocytes mature both in vivo and in vitro,
exploring with varied approaches the role of paracrine factors and of
cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions in promoting their maturation.
Specifically, the PI will explore the relationship between the cell
adhesion molecule, NCAM, and adhesion between gonocytes and Sertoli cells,
to determine whether changes in NCAM-mediated adhesion underlie critical
maturation of gonocyte behavior as these cells move to the basement
membrane in vitro and display migratory activity in vitro. In addition,
since preliminary data indicate that factors Important in promoting
gonocyte development are paracrine and likely to include Stem Cell Factor
(SCF), also called "c-kit ligand", and basic Fibroblast Growth Factor
(bFGF), the role of each of these peptides in supporting gonocyte motility
and mitotic activity, respectively, will also be studied. The PI will
identify components of the signal transduction system operating in
responsive gonocytes, probe the cellular mechanisms mediating that
response, and ask whether interaction between matrix components of the
basement membrane or the substrate in vitro have a role in this response.
In addition, the general level of transcriptional, or genomic, activity as
well as expression of message for SCF, SCF receptor, and bFGF will be
characterized in individual gonocytes in vivo and in vitro, with the aim
of correlating this information with spatial and temporal relationships of
gonocytes in the seminiferous cords and of determining the role of cell-
cell and cell-matrix interactions in modifying the functional activity of
gonocyte nuclei. Varied methods will be used to approach these questions,
including several visual approaches such as in situ nick translation,
immunocytochemistry, and autoradiography. Because studies are planned both
in vivo, and in vitro, the PI will obtain direct information on the
physiological relevance of the findings, which should thus provide new
insights into crucial events that precede spermatogenesis and thus
contribute to the establishment of fertility in adults.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2197221
- **Project number:** 2R01HD015563-13A1
- **Recipient organization:** TEMPLE UNIV OF THE COMMONWEALTH
- **SAM.gov UEI:** QD4MGHFDJKU1
- **Principal Investigator:** Joanne M Orth
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $164,549
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1981-09-01 → 1999-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2197221

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2197221, FERTILITY AND SERTOLI CELL DEVELOPMENT (2R01HD015563-13A1). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2197221. Licensed CC0.

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