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Structural and Histological Analysis of Leydig Cell Steroidogenic Function

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The Leydig Cell in Health and Disease

Part of the book series: Contemporary Endocrinology ((COE))

Abstract

This chapter summarizes the morphological criteria to identify the fetal and adult Leydig cells in the rat testis at the light and electron microscopic levels. LH receptor and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase are the most important functional markers that can be used to characterize the androgen-producing Leydig cells. The focus of this chapter is on the structure, ultrastructure, steroidogenic function, and ontogenesis of fetal and adult Leydig cells.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Anatomy II, Heinrich Heine University, Duesseldorf, Germany

    Syed G. Haider PhD, Gisela Servos & Nicole Tran

Authors
  1. Syed G. Haider PhD
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  2. Gisela Servos
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  3. Nicole Tran
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA

    Anita H. Payne PhD

  2. Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, NY

    Matthew P. Hardy PhD

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© 2007 Humana press Inc., Totowa, NJ

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Haider, S.G., Servos, G., Tran, N. (2007). Structural and Histological Analysis of Leydig Cell Steroidogenic Function. In: Payne, A.H., Hardy, M.P. (eds) The Leydig Cell in Health and Disease. Contemporary Endocrinology. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-453-7_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-453-7_2

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-754-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59745-453-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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