title: [Feminizing action of dehydroepiandrosterone on the left testis of the chick embryo: ultrastructural aspect].
abstract: Chick embryos were injected with 4 X 0.5 mg of dehydroepiandrosterone from day 4 onwards and the ultrastructure of the 20-day old hormone-treated male gonads was studied. The cortex was well-developed and some oocytes had reached the meiotic prophase stage. The prefollicular cells did not seem to be stimulated by the androgenic hormone. We especially studied the seminiferous cords with Sertoli cells. Dense core granules, which might be related to secretory activity, were observed in the basal part of the Sertoli cells. The extensive development of smooth endoplasmic reticulum vesicles suggested that some Sertoli cells might have a steroidogenic function. The interstitial cells did not show an important steroidogenic synthesis. The action of dehydroepiandrosterone, which could induce the development of an ovarian-like cortex in intersexual gonads, is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002642:Chick Embryo; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005262:Feminization / Q000473:pathology*; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*
chemical_list: D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone
vernacular_title: Action féminisante de la déhydroépiandrostérone sur le testicule gauche de l'embryon de poulet: aspect ultrastructural.