An unusual cylindrical body in interstitial cells of rat testis. 1983

T S Leeson, and C R Leeson

Testes of 6 rats were processed routinely for electron microscopy and, as an incidental finding, interstitial (Leydig) cells were found to contain bundles of unusual cylindrical bodies or macrotubules. These cytoplasmic structures were found in testes of only 2 of the 6 rats and varied in number from 2 to 346 per cell profile, usually in parallel array but with an irregular orientation in approximately 5% of the cells. The macrotubules were up to 11 microns long, showed a diameter of 130 nm with a wall of 18-20 nm and an inside diameter of about 94 nm. The wall appeared to be formed by two membranes 6-7 nm thick showing a unit membrane structure with a central electron-lucent space of 6 nm. In several instances, the wall membranes appeared corrugated, which may account for the apparent formation of the wall by a spiralling small tubule or tubules of 18 nm diameter. Several macrotubules showed continuity between their wall membranes and elements of endoplasmic reticulum and occasionally two adjacent macrotubules showed continuity at their ends in a U-form. Similar if not identical structures have been described previously in four studies of interstitial cells of the rat renal medulla, in one instance correlated with water-deprivation. They have been considered an alteration in the endoplasmic reticulum. Also, they have been reported in pig uterine glands in pregnancy. They may represent a cellular response to an unrecognized physiopathological state.

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
D004721 Endoplasmic Reticulum A system of cisternae in the CYTOPLASM of many cells. In places the endoplasmic reticulum is continuous with the plasma membrane (CELL MEMBRANE) or outer membrane of the nuclear envelope. If the outer surfaces of the endoplasmic reticulum membranes are coated with ribosomes, the endoplasmic reticulum is said to be rough-surfaced (ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM, ROUGH); otherwise it is said to be smooth-surfaced (ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM, SMOOTH). (King & Stansfield, A Dictionary of Genetics, 4th ed) Ergastoplasm,Reticulum, Endoplasmic
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D051381 Rats The common name for the genus Rattus. Rattus,Rats, Laboratory,Rats, Norway,Rattus norvegicus,Laboratory Rat,Laboratory Rats,Norway Rat,Norway Rats,Rat,Rat, Laboratory,Rat, Norway,norvegicus, Rattus

Related Publications

T S Leeson, and C R Leeson
January 1970, Journal of anatomy,
T S Leeson, and C R Leeson
January 1976, Journal of steroid biochemistry,
T S Leeson, and C R Leeson
October 1972, FEBS letters,
T S Leeson, and C R Leeson
January 1975, The American journal of anatomy,
T S Leeson, and C R Leeson
September 1992, Actas urologicas espanolas,
T S Leeson, and C R Leeson
February 1977, Molecular and cellular endocrinology,
T S Leeson, and C R Leeson
January 1952, Annales d'endocrinologie,
T S Leeson, and C R Leeson
November 1959, Experimental cell research,
T S Leeson, and C R Leeson
May 1980, Journal of steroid biochemistry,
T S Leeson, and C R Leeson
January 1986, Reproduction, nutrition, developpement,
Copied contents to your clipboard!