Histochemical and histological analysis of the Leydig cells of cats treated with a supraphysiological dose of LH-RH analog.
An LH-RH analog (des-Gly10,[D-Trp6]-LH-RH ethylamide, LH-RH A) was administered to adult male cats for 67 days (20 micrograms/kg, sc) in order to study its inhibitory effects on the structure of Leydig cells, as determined by histological and histochemical-morphometric techniques. Histological examination showed that LH-RH A promotes a decrease in the volume of the interstitial tissue. In addition, Leydig cell nuclei exhibited marked structural alterations. Morphometric analyses utilizing histochemistry of the enzyme 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3-beta-HOST-D) as a marker of Leydig cells also demonstrated a significant decrease of the relative volume occupied by the Leydig cells in the testis.
Rosa-e-Silva
A A
AA
Departamento de Fisiologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeiráo Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil.
Mello-de-Oliveira
J A
JA
Lamano-Carvalho
T L
TL
D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects*
D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; C009936:fertirelin