Video Transcript
What is the function of a Sertoli
cell? (A) To nourish and support the
maturation of spermatozoa. (B) To secrete testosterone and
other hormones. (C) To multiply and provide a
continual supply of spermatogonia for meiosis. Or (D) to release hydrolytic
enzymes into the tubule.
Sertoli cells are located in the
seminiferous tubules of a biological male’s testes. Let’s take a look at some of the
functions of the different cells that can be found in, and surrounding, the
seminiferous tubules so we can figure out the correct answer.
The seminiferous tubules are the
site of sperm production. Sperm cells are the male gametes,
or sex cells. Overall, the process of sperm
production converts diploid primary germ cells that are present when a biological
male is still an embryo into haploid mature sperm cells, sometimes called
spermatozoa, that might be capable of fertilizing an egg cell.
The cells that are found in the
outermost region of the seminiferous tubules of a mature biological male that has
begun puberty are called spermatogonia. And they are produced when these
primary germ cells undergo mitosis. These spermatogonia differentiate
and divide to produce cells that then undergo meiosis to eventually produce haploid
mature sperm cells. If we take a look at answer option
(C), we can see that this is describing primary germ cells, and not the Sertoli
cells. So we can eliminate this
option.
As the stages of sperm production
progress, the cells produced are located closer and closer to the lumen in the
center of the seminiferous tubule. The haploid mature sperm cells are
located closest to the lumen as they are the final cells that are produced. These mature sperm cells are
specialized to fertilize an egg cell. For example, a structure in their
heads called an acrosome can release hydrolytic enzymes that digest through the
outer layers of the egg cell to help the sperm cell penetrate it. As we know that releasing
hydrolytic enzymes is a specialization of the mature sperm cells, and not of the
Sertoli cells, we can also eliminate answer option (D).
The Sertoli cells provide
structural support and secrete a fluid that nourishes and supports the sperm cells
during their development. The secretions also provide the
mature sperm cells with a fluid that they can swim through. This suggests that the correct
answer to this question is option (A), but let’s double check answer option (B) to
make sure.
Interstitial cells are any cells
that are found in the spaces between the functional cells of a tissue. As the functional cells of the
testes are found in the seminiferous tubules, the interstitial cells are these cells
surrounding it. These cells, which in the testes
are specifically called Leydig cells, are those that secrete testosterone. This means that answer option (B)
is describing the role of the Leydig cells, not the Sertoli cells. So we can eliminate this option
too.
This confirms that the function of
a Sertoli cell, and the correct answer to this question, is answer option (A): to
nourish and support the maturation of spermatozoa.
