Fine structure of the male genital tract and kidney in the Anura Xenopus laevis Daudin, Rana temporaria L. and Bufo bufo L. under normal and experimental conditions. 1975

K Unsicker

The ultrastructure of the main cellular components of testicular interstitial spaces in three Anuran species was studied during two short periods of the seasonal cycle and after treatment with 5- and 6-hydroxydopamine (5- and 6-OHDA). In early December when seminiferous tubules are completely filled with resting spermatozoa in Rana, Leydig cells display a well developed smooth- and rough-surfaced ER, numerous granular vesicles being untypical of Mammalian Leeydig cells, metochondria with tubular cristae and only few lipid droplets. In late April shortly after spermiation has occurred in most animals studied Leydig cell exhibit a low degree of activity as shown by the presence of numerous large lipid inclusions, reduced amounts of ER and granular vesicles, but increased numbers of dense bodies. In addition, a few rather undifferentiated cells are observed. In principle, the same differences between winter and late spring Leydig cells are seen in Bufo, although the smooth-surfaced ER which is partly arranged in whorls is much more pronounced in this species whereas granular vesicles are lacking. In December intertubular spaces display a few mitotic figures of Leydig cells. In Xenopus no obvious seasonal changes are observed in Leydig cells. As in Rana, there are numerous granular vesicles. The agranular ER is moderately developed. Intratesticular seminal excretory ducts consist in all three species studied of very low differentiated cells being almost completely filled with filaments (equivalent-100 A). Seasonal changes do not seem to occur. Morphological equivalents for secretory or resorptive processes are neither observed in early December nor in late April around the time of spermiation (in Rana and Bufo). At the connections site of seminiferous tubules and excretory ducts a basal laminal labyrinth is commonly observed. In Xenopus smooth muscle cells from an incomplete sheath around seminiferous tubules and are also uniformly distributed in the intertubular spaces without any obvious relationships to vessels. Rana and Bufo lack a peritubular contractile cell layer. After application of 5- and 6-OHDA (5-OHDA: three injections of 200 mg/kg at 12 hr intervals; 6-OHDA: three doses of 100-150 mg/kg on three consecutive days) cytoplasmic inclusion bodies with lamellar and crystalloid internal patterns develop in Leydig cells from lysosome-like structures. In addition, formation of dense bodies from mitochondria is seen in a few instances. The significance of these alterations is discussed.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007668 Kidney Body organ that filters blood for the secretion of URINE and that regulates ion concentrations. Kidneys
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
D009130 Muscle, Smooth Unstriated and unstriped muscle, one of the muscles of the internal organs, blood vessels, hair follicles, etc. Contractile elements are elongated, usually spindle-shaped cells with centrally located nuclei. Smooth muscle fibers are bound together into sheets or bundles by reticular fibers and frequently elastic nets are also abundant. (From Stedman, 25th ed) Muscle, Involuntary,Smooth Muscle,Involuntary Muscle,Involuntary Muscles,Muscles, Involuntary,Muscles, Smooth,Smooth Muscles
D011896 Rana temporaria A species of the family Ranidae occurring in a wide variety of habitats from within the Arctic Circle to South Africa, Australia, etc. European Common Frog,Frog, Common European,Common European Frog,Common Frog, European,European Frog, Common,Frog, European Common
D002023 Bufo bufo A species of the true toads, Bufonidae, widely distributed in the United States and Europe. Toad, Common,Common Toad,Common Toads,Toads, Common
D003594 Cytoplasmic Granules Condensed areas of cellular material that may be bounded by a membrane. Cytoplasmic Granule,Granule, Cytoplasmic,Granules, Cytoplasmic
D004543 Ejaculatory Ducts Paired ducts in the human male through which semen is ejaculated into the urethra. Duct, Ejaculatory,Ducts, Ejaculatory,Ejaculatory Duct
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
D006892 Hydroxydopamines Dopamines with a hydroxy group substituted in one or more positions. Hydroxydopamine

Related Publications

K Unsicker
January 1970, Zeitschrift fur Zellforschung und mikroskopische Anatomie (Vienna, Austria : 1948),
K Unsicker
September 1964, Archivio italiano di anatomia e di embriologia. Italian journal of anatomy and embryology,
K Unsicker
November 1972, Journal of ultrastructure research,
K Unsicker
January 1967, Zeitschrift fur Zellforschung und mikroskopische Anatomie (Vienna, Austria : 1948),
K Unsicker
January 1964, Zeitschrift fur Zellforschung und mikroskopische Anatomie (Vienna, Austria : 1948),
Copied contents to your clipboard!