Accelerated recovery of Leydig cells of the immature rat testis after administration of the cytotoxic ethylene dimethanesulphonate.
A single injection of ethane-1,2-dimethanesulphonate (EDS; 100 mg/kg) selectively destroys Leydig cells in the testis of the adult rat; however, unconfirmed reports indicate that Leydig cells in the immature rat are not affected. In this study the effect of EDS was examined 2 days after treatment of rats aged 20, 25 or 35 days. There was a large reduction in the in-vitro binding of 125I-labelled human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) to the homogenates of testes from EDS-treated immature rats. EDS reduced the testosterone content of the testes at all ages studied, but 2 days after injection had only significantly lowered the serum testosterone concentration of 25- or 35-day-old animals. Light microscopic examination of the testis of the 22-day-old rat, 2 days after treatment with EDS, indicated that there were still many cells staining for 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. The interstitium also contained numerous atypical cells which did not stain for 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Electron microscopy of testes from the 22-day-old EDS-treated rat showed that Leydig cells were still present in the interstitium together with macrophages and fibroblast-like cells. Six days after EDS treatment of 20-day-old rats, but not 35-day-old rats, there was an increase in the binding of 125I-labelled hCG to testis homogenate to 70% of control value. Testicular testosterone content 6 days after treatment of the 20-day-old rat had risen to 50% of the control testis value.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Edwards
G
G
Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Manchester.
Lendon
R G
RG
Morris
I D
ID
D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000378:metabolism; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008698:Mesylates / Q000633:toxicity*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013737:Testis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D008698:Mesylates; D013739:Testosterone; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; C002994:ethylene dimethanesulfonate