Ethane dimethylsulphonate selectively destroys Leydig cells in the adult bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata).
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of intratesticular administration of ethane-1,2-dimethylsulphonate (EDS) which has been extensively used to selectively destroy Leydig cells in rats and study the role of gonadotropin in regulation of differentiation of Leydig cells (LC) in the adult male bonnet monkey.


RESULTS
In vitro studies with cultured interstitial cells isolated from monkey testis revealed an inhibitory effect of EDS on LC as assessed by decrease in testosterone production. Intratesticular administration of EDS (5, 10, 20, 50 mg/testis) resulted in a dose-dependent rapid decrease in serum testosterone levels, with a 65% decrease with 5 mg of EDS by the 3rd day, which returned to control levels by the 45th day. EDS treatment resulted in a significant decrease in testicular testosterone. In addition a significant decrease in [125I]hCG binding and phenylesterase activity in the interstitial cells was noticed. Histological analysis of the testes on the 5th day after administration of EDS revealed an interstitium devoid of LC indicating the destructive action of EDS.


CONCLUSIONS
The monkey LC are sensitive to destructive action of EDS.
Department of Biochemistry and Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012, India.
R
R
Sumathi
V
V
Sriraman
B S
BS
Kurkalli
F F
FF
Rommerts
A J
AJ
Rao
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000502:physiology*; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008255:Macaca radiata; D008297:Male; D008698:Mesylates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis
D006062:Gonadotropins; D008698:Mesylates; D013739:Testosterone; C002994:ethylene dimethanesulfonate