[Culture and identification of human adult Leydig cells].
OBJECTIVE
To obtain a simple and effective method to isolate and purify adult Leydig cells.


METHODS
The testes of human adults were digested and then the density gradient centrifugation of the cells was performed with four different Percoll concentrations (60%, 34%, 26%, 21%) to isolate Leydig cells, whose characteristics were identified by cytological observation staining, 3beta-HSD staining and detection of hCG and testosterone secretion.


RESULTS
High-concentration (> 90%) purified Leydig cells were acquired, and many identification experiments demonstrated the adequate testosterone secretory function of the isolated and purified Leydig cells.


CONCLUSIONS
This method is easy and efficient for the isolation and purification of adult Leydig cells.
Sun
Xiang-Zhou
XZ
Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China.
Deng
Chun-Hua
CH
Guo
Hai-Bin
HB
Liu
Jian-Zhong
JZ
D000328:Adult; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D011205:Povidone; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D013739:Testosterone; C016039:Percoll; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D011205:Povidone