Ultrastructure of immature Leydig cells in the human prepubertal testis. 1984

F P Prince

The cellularity of the human prepubertal testicular interstitium has not been well studied at the ultrastructural level. In this study, testicular biopsies were obtained from 35 boys aged three to nine years and examined by electron microscopy to clarify and quantitate the cell types present during the prepubertal period. The prepubertal testicular interstitium is found to consist of immature Leydig cells (9%), primitive fibroblastic cells (63%) (intertubular in location), and attenuated peritubular fibroblasts (28%). The primitive fibroblastic cells and peritubular fibroblasts appear closely related, being distinguished mainly by shape and location. The immature Leydig cell type contrasts with the fibroblastic cell types by exhibiting an irregular nucleus with relatively little heterochromatin. The most impressive cytoplasmic feature is the moderate to extensive development of smooth endoplasmic reticulum in the form of anastamosing tubules. In contrast, the rough endoplasmic reticulum is not well developed. Other cytoplasmic characteristics are the highly developed Golgi elements and occasional lipid droplets and lysosomes. Glycogen is also often present and is generally found in those cells that do not contain a well-developed smooth endoplasmic reticulum. The ultrastructure of the immature Leydig cell is compared with that of the mature fetal and adult Leydig cells. Although generally found in small clusters between tubules, these cells are often attenuated and closely associated with the seminiferous tubules. Occasional intermediate cell morphologies suggest a relationship between the primitive fibroblasts and immature Leydig cells. The presence of small cells exhibiting a steroid-producing morphology, classified as immature Leydig cells, in the prepubertal testicular interstitium is an interesting finding and is in accordance with earlier studies on nonhuman mammals. It is unknown whether these cells are remnants of the fetal Leydig cell population or have differentiated neonatally from the primitive fibroblastic cells. It is suggested that the immature Leydig cells are the progenitors of the adult Leydig cell population.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007985 Leydig Cells Steroid-producing cells in the interstitial tissue of the TESTIS. They are under the regulation of PITUITARY HORMONES; LUTEINIZING HORMONE; or interstitial cell-stimulating hormone. TESTOSTERONE is the major androgen (ANDROGENS) produced. Interstitial Cells, Testicular,Leydig Cell,Testicular Interstitial Cell,Testicular Interstitial Cells,Cell, Leydig,Cell, Testicular Interstitial,Cells, Leydig,Cells, Testicular Interstitial,Interstitial Cell, Testicular
D008297 Male Males
D008854 Microscopy, Electron Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen. Electron Microscopy
D011627 Puberty A period in the human life in which the development of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal system takes place and reaches full maturity. The onset of synchronized endocrine events in puberty lead to the capacity for reproduction (FERTILITY), development of secondary SEX CHARACTERISTICS, and other changes seen in ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT. Puberties
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D002675 Child, Preschool A child between the ages of 2 and 5. Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013737 Testis The male gonad containing two functional parts: the SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES for the production and transport of male germ cells (SPERMATOGENESIS) and the interstitial compartment containing LEYDIG CELLS that produce ANDROGENS. Testicles,Testes,Testicle

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