Interstitial tissue in the testis of the giant rat, Cricetomys gambianus.
Besides Leydig cells macrophages form considerable part of the interstitial tissue in the giant rat, Cricetomys gambianus. Leydig cells contain bundles of usually six to twelve parallel tubes with walls of longitudinal layers alternating with circular layers of microfilaments. Polyribosomes, both free and membrane bound, are concentrated around or inside the tubes. The tubes may enclose mitochondria and microperoxisomes as well. The light cytosol of the macrophages is dotted with electron-dense 5-nm particles which might be ferritin. Specific contacts exist between Leydig cells and macrophages indicating a functional interdependence between these two cell types.
Werner
G
G
Medical Faculty, Saar University, Homburg, FRG. blgwer@med-rz.uni-sb.de
Moutairou
K
K
D000818:Animals; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D051381:Rats; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure