Research Progress on the Mechanisms of Testicular Sertoli Cell Injury
XU Yun, LU Xiaolan, YU Wenkui*
As the core somatic cells of the seminiferous epithelium, testicular Sertoli cells provide a stable microenvironment for spermatogenesis by constructing the blood-testis barrier, regulating local immune privilege, and secreting key factors. Recent studies have found that various stimuli, such as chemical toxins, metabolic disorders, viral infections, and physical injuries, can induce vacuolar degeneration, cytoskeletal remodeling, and dysfunction in Sertoli cells, which in turn disrupt the integrity of the blood-testis barrier, interfere with germ cell differentiation, and trigger hormonal feedback disorders, ultimately leading to male infertility. This article systematically reviews the molecular mechanisms underlying Sertoli cell injury, such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammatory pathway activation, and epigenetic dysregulation. It also explores the therapeutic potential of targeted antioxidant, hormone-regulating, and cytoprotective strategies, aiming to provide new insights for clinical intervention in testicular dysfunction.
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