Sertoli cell: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

The Sertoli cell is the 'nurse' cell of the testes. Its main function is concerned with nurturing the developing sperm cells during the process of spermatogenesis.

Through the creation of the blood-testis barrier, formed by interconnecting sertoli cells, it is able to control the entry and exit of nutrients, hormones etc. into the tubules of the testis.

Once fully differentiated the Sertoli cell is unable to proliferate and therefore once spermatogenesis has begun no more Sertoli cells are created.