Abstract: Objective To study the effects of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on the expression of GDNF and the changes of signaling pathway in primary cultured rat Sertoli cells. Method the primary cultured 20 days old sertoli cells stimulateused by DHT, immumofluorescence was used to detect the localization and expression of GDNF in Sertoli cell, Western-blot to detect the expressions of GDNF, ERK1/2 and CREB , and the phosphorylations of ERK1/2 and CREB. while the inhibitors of ERK and cAMP/PKA signaling pathway were used. Result GDNF expressed in cytoplasm of Sertoli cell. DHT promoted the expression of GDNF, while the levels of ERK1/2 and CREB phosphorylation were increased. U0126 and H89 decreased the GDNF expression induced by DHT. Conclusion DHT stimulated the expression of GDNF of Setoli cell by activing the ERK signaling pathway.

Key words: Dihydrotestosterone, Sertoli cell, GDNF, ERK