Morphophysiological correlation of boar Leydig cell development during postnatal stage.
To analyze the possible correlation between steroidogenic activity of the Leydig cells and their morphology and ultrastructure in the boar testes at different ages, testes from six Yorkshire boars were obtained by orchidectomy at 8,14,28,40,70,78,86,94 and 100 days of age. Using representative sections of testicular parenchyma, light as well as transmission electron microscopic studies were performed. Homogenized, albuginea-free tissue was further used for quantitative estimation of total proteins and metabolic pools of androstenedione (A), testosterone (T) and 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Under light microscopy, abundant hyperplastic Leydig cells were observed from 14 to 40 days, thereafter was a decrease in their size and number. Spermatogenesis remained in the spermatogonia stage while the tubules increased in diameter until age 80 days; from 90 days on, pachytene primary spermatocytes could be found. A well developed smooth endoplasmic reticulum was observed in Leydig cells from the 8th postnatal day. Metabolic pools from age 8 to 28 days showed a decrease for T and A from 4.33 to 1.78 and 2.51 to 0.48 microgram/mg protein respectively, maintaining thereafter the same levels throughout the age-span studied. However, DHT was found at low levels from the beginning of neonatal period (from 0.07 to 0.38 microgram/mg protein).
D000375:Aging; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000032:analysis; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D013552:Swine / Q000254:growth & development*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000032:analysis
D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione