Interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) transmits its signal through a specific cell surface receptor (IFNgammaR), which consists of a primary ligand binding alpha-chain (IFNgammaR alpha) and a signaling beta-chain (IFNgammaR beta). Recent studies identified the cytokines IFNgamma, interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1alpha, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in testicular cells. Therefore, we: 1) examined the expression of IFNgammaR alpha and IFNgammaR beta subunits in freshly isolated and purified rat testicular cells; 2) examined the differential regulation of receptor components by cytokines using primary cultures of Sertoli cells; 3) identified the cell signaling pathway components of testicular IFNgammaR; and 4) characterized the functional role of testicular IFNgamma using primary Sertoli cells. We demonstrated the messenger RNAs for both chains of IFNgammaR in rat testicular cells using Northern hybridization analysis. Western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry showed that both specific IFNgammaR protein subunits were present in cultured primary Leydig and Sertoli cells prepared from the testes of immature rats. The expression of both IFNgammaR component messenger RNAs in cultured Sertoli cells was increased by its specific ligand (IFNgamma), as well as IL-1alpha and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, in both a time- and dose-dependent manner. IFNgamma-activation of the Janus (JAK) tyrosine kinases, JAK1 and JAK2 proteins, indicate that IFNgammaR, expressed in the Sertoli cell, is functional. Moreover, IFNgamma modulates the expression of interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-1 and IL-1beta converting enzyme genes in Sertoli cells. Thus, our data are suggestive of a role(s) for IFN-gamma in the regulation of distinct gene expression and cell-specific sensitivity to apoptosis in the testis.