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First of all, we apologize for the poor quality of this slide. The Sertoli cell (arrow) rests on the basement membrane of the seminiferous tubule and fills the narrow spaces between the cells of the spermatogenic series, thus creating the blood-testes barrier. The cytoplasmic outline of the Sertoli cell is thus highly irregular and constantly changing to permit the progressive movement of developing spermatozoa towards the luminal surface. Sertoli cells are thought to act as 'nurse' cells, providing structural and metabolic support for the developing spermatogenic cells. During spermiogenesis, Sertoli cells phagocytize excess cytoplasm cast off by spermatids. |
