Apoptotic Spermatogenic Cells Can Be Energy Sources for Sertoli Cells

Apoptotic spermatogenic cells and residual bodies are phagocytosed and degraded by Sertoli cells during mammalian spermatogenesis. The meaning of this event remains to be clarified. In this report, we demonstrate that apoptotic spermatogenic cells and residual bodies can be used to produce ATP by Sertoli cells after phagocytosis of them. Sertoli cells produced the highest level of ATP compared with other testicular cells. Phagocytosis assay in vitro showed that engulfment of apoptotic spermatogenic cells increases ATP production by Sertoli cells. The increased ATP production was detected in seminiferous tubules at the stages where phagocytosis occurs. Induced apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in vivo increased ATP production in seminiferous tubules. The augmentation of ATP production both in vitro and in vivo associated with the lipid formation in Sertoli cells after phagocytosis of apoptotic spermatogenic cells. The lipid beta-oxidation was a predominant pathway to produce ATP in Sertoli cells. We conclude that after phagocytosis by Sertoli cells, apoptotic spermatogenic cells are degraded to form lipids that are then used to produce ATP. The results suggest that apoptotic spermatogenic cells can be energy sources for Sertoli cells that may define a novel meaning of spermatogenic cell death.