CYP26B1 declines postnatally in Sertoli cells independently of androgen action in the mouse testis

Abstract

Meiosis begins at puberty and relies on several factors, including androgens and retinoic acid in the mouse testis. CYP26B1 degrades retinoic acid in the testis during prenatal development preventing meiosis initiation. Given the concurrence of meiotic entry and completion of Sertoli cell maturation in response to androgens at puberty in the mouse, we proposed that CYP26B1 is downregulated by androgens in the Sertoli cell during this period. By immunohistochemistry, we showed that CYP26B1 declines in Sertoli cells after birth. However, luciferase reporter assays and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction performed in the prepubertal mouse Sertoli cell line SMAT1 revealed no changes in Cyp26b1 expression in response to androgen treatment. Furthermore, studies carried out using primary Sertoli cells of 10-day-old mice showed no changes in either Cyp26b1 or CYP26B1 expression in response to androgen treatment. In summary, the hereby reported decline in CYP26B1 expression in Sertoli cells towards pubertal onset does not appear to be caused by a direct inhibitory effect of androgens on Sertoli cells in the mouse.