Research progress on glycolipid metabolism of Sertoli cell in the development of spermatogenic cell.

Abstract

Sertoli cells play an important role in the process of spermatogenesis by providing energy for spermatogenic cells and themselves through glycolysis and fatty acid oxidation. Abnormalities in spermatogenesis are closely related to disruptions of glucose and lipid metabolism in Sertoli cells. The metabolic environment of Sertoli cells is hypoxic, with glycolysis and fatty acid β-oxidation being the primary metabolic pathways. In Sertoli cells, glycolysis produces lactate to provide energy for spermatogenic cells, while fatty acid β-oxidation generates ATP. However, the relationship of glucose and lipid metabolism with spermatogenic cell development in Sertoli cells, and the interplay between glucose and lipid metabolism remain unclear. Various hormones, including sex hormones, can affect glucose metabolism of Sertoli cells by endocrine regulation. The activation or inhibition of signaling pathways such as AMPK, mTOR, and Akt can alter the expression levels of glycolysis-related transporter genes and the generation of fatty acids, thereby affecting the glycolipid metabolism in Sertoli cells. Some transcription factors such as PPARγ can regulate downstream fatty acid metabolism-related genes by directly binding to response elements, and can promote the oxidation of fatty acids in Sertoli cells. In this article we elaborate on the key factors influencing glucose and lipid metabolism in Sertoli cells and their interconnections, and their potential clinical implications, offering new insights for the precise targeted treatments of male infertility.