Identification of cell types in Sertoli cell-enriched cultures by immunocytochemistry and DNA-specific fluorochrome Hoechst 33342.

The cell types in Sertoli cell-enriched cultures can be identified by using the DNA-specific fluorochrome Hoechst 33342 staining. This simple, rapid and reproducible procedure can be used with fixed and living cells. The peritubular myoid cells can be distinguished from the Sertoli cells in Sertoli cell-enriched cultures by the characteristic staining pattern obtained using Hoechst 33342 dye. Those cells identified as peritubular myoid cells by the characteristic DNA staining also interacted with the anti-fibronectin antibody determined by an immunocytochemical method while the Sertoli cells did not. The described staining method is valuable in assessing the presence of peritubular myoid cells in Sertoli cell-enriched cultures.