Age-related histomorphometric and ultrastructural changes in the Sertoli cells of Japanese quail (Coturnix Coturnix japonica)

Prepared sections from pre-pubertal, pubertal, adult, and aged Japanese quail testes were examined by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and measurements of seminiferous tubular diameter (STD), luminal diameter (SLD), epithelial height (SEH) and cross-sectional area of the seminiferous tubules (AST) were taken using an image analyzer. Apoptotic Sertoli cells with features such as cell shrinkage and chromatin condensation were observed in pre-pubertal and aged quail. There was a significant difference between the mean Sertoli cell number (SCN), SLD, SEH, STD and AST among the four age groups (P < 0.001). The highest SCN (mean +/- standard error) was recorded in the adult (30.53 +/- 0.42), with the aged group displaying the lowest mean (11.80 +/- 0.27) SCN. Spearman's rho correlation coefficients demonstrated a strong relationship between the SCN and SEH in the pubertal (p=0.915; P < 0.001), adult (p=0.878; P < 0.001), and aged (p=0.858; P < 0.001) groups, while a significant moderate correlation was observed in the pre-pubertal (p=0.606; P < 0.001) group. There were significant moderate correlations between the SCN and STD in the pre-pubertal (p=0.445; P < 0.001), pubertal (p=0.653; P < 0.001), adult (p=0.440; P < 0.001), and aged (p=0.514; P < 0.001) groups. Furthermore, significant moderate correlations were estimated between the SCN and AST in the pre-pubertal (p=0.453; P < 0.001), pubertal (p=0.661; P < 0.001), adult (p=0.393; P = 0.001), and aged (p=0.498; P < 0.001) groups. This study provides baseline data on the morphology and development of the Sertoli cell, as well as testicular morphometry in avian species during the pre-pubertal, pubertal, adult, and aged stages using the Japanese quail as a model.

Automated summary

Using Japanese quail as a model, this study examined testicular tissues from pre-pubertal, pubertal, adult, and aged stages, revealing significant differences in Sertoli cell number, luminal diameter, epithelial height, seminiferous tubular diameter, and cross-sectional area among different age groups. Additionally, moderate correlations were observed between Sertoli cell number and epithelial height, tubular diameter, and cross-sectional area in different age groups.