Skip to main content
Log in

Effects of experimental torsion of the spermatic cord on Leydig cell function in the guinea pig testis: An ultrastructural stereological analysis

  • Andrology
  • Published:
Urological Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

An ultrastructural stereological analysis of Leydig cells of the guinea pig testis was carried out following surgically induced testicular torsion. Morphometric analyses of the Leydig cells of the experimental group of animals revealed an increase in the nucelar and mitochondrial volume and a decrease in the lipid volume, in comparison to those in the Leydig cells of the control group of animals. We believe that these changes in the Leydig cells of the experimental group of animals are indicative of cellular hypertrophy. The possible mechanisms of the Leydig cell hypertrophy in the guinea pig testis following the induction of spermatic cord torsion are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Aoki A, Fawcett DW (1978) Is there local feedback from the seminiferous tubules affecting activity of the Leydig cells? Biol Reprod 19:144–158

    Google Scholar 

  2. Bartsch G, Frank S, Marberger H, Mikuz G (1980) Testicular torsion: late results with special regard to fertility and endocrine function. J Urol 124:375–378

    Google Scholar 

  3. Cerasaro, Nachtsheim DA, Otero F, Parsons CL (1984) The effect of testicular torsion on contralateral testis and the production of antisperm antibodies in rabbits. J Urol 132:577–579

    Google Scholar 

  4. Chakraborty J, Jhunjhunwala JS (1982) Experimental unilateral torsion of the spermatic cord in guinea pigs: effects on the contralateral testis. J Androl 3:117–123

    Google Scholar 

  5. Chakraborty J, Jhunjhunwala J, Nelson L, Young M (1980) Effects of unilateral torsion of the spermatic cord on the contralateral testis in human and guinea pig. Arch Androl 4:95–108

    Google Scholar 

  6. Chakraborty J, Sinha Hikim A, Budd CA, Jhunjhunwala J (1983) Stereological analysis of Leydig cells and germ cells of the contralateral testis of guinea pigs with unilateral torsion of the spermatic cord. Acta Stereol 2 (Suppl 1):163–166

    Google Scholar 

  7. Chakraborty J, Sinha Hikim AP, Jhunjhunwala JS (1985) Quantitative evaluation of testicular biopsies from men with ulilateral torsion. Urology 25:145–150

    Google Scholar 

  8. Christensen AK (1965) The fine structure of testicular interstitial cells in guinea pigs. J Cell Biol 26:911–935

    Google Scholar 

  9. Christensen AK, Peacock KC (1980) Increase in Leydig cell number in testes of adult rats treated chronically with an excess of human chorionic gonadotropin. Biol Repord 22: 383–391

    Google Scholar 

  10. De Krester DM, Kerr JB, Rich KA, Risbridger G, Dobos M (1980) Hormonal factors involved in normal spermatogenesis and following the disruption of spermatogenesis. In: Steinberger A, Steinberger E (eds) Testicular development, structure and function. Raven Press, New York, p 107–115

    Google Scholar 

  11. Eins S, Wilhelms E (1976) Assessment of preparative volume changes in central nervous tissue using automatic image analysis. Microscope 24:29–38

    Google Scholar 

  12. Goldwasser B, Weissenberg R, Lunenfeld B, Nativ O, Many M (1984) Semen quality and hormonal status of patients following testicular torsion. Andrologia 16:239–243

    Google Scholar 

  13. Haug H (1980) The significance of quantitative stereologic experimental procedures in pathology. Pathol Res Pract 166: 144–164

    Google Scholar 

  14. Jhunjhunwala JS, Chakraborty J, Sinha Hikim AP, Kropp AK (1984) Germ cell degeneration in the contralateral testis of the guinea pig with unilateral torsion of the spermatic cord. J Urol 131:162

    Google Scholar 

  15. Kerr JB, Rich KA, de Krester DM (1979) Alterations of the fine structure and androgen secretion of the interstitial cells in the experimentally cryptorchid rat testis. Biol Reprod 20: 409–422

    Google Scholar 

  16. Mazzocchi G, Robba C, Rebuffat P, Gottardo G, Nussdorfer GG (1982) Effect of a chronic treatment with testosterone on the morphology of the interstitial cell of the rat testis: an ultrastructural stereologic study. Int J Androl 5:130–136

    Google Scholar 

  17. Mori H, Christensen AK (1980) Morphometric analysis of Leydig cells in the normal rat testis. J Cell Biol 84:340–354

    Google Scholar 

  18. Mori H, Shimizu D, Takeda A, Takioka Y, Fukunishi R (1980) Stereological analysis of Leydig cells in normal guinea pig testis. J Electron Microsc 29:8–21

    Google Scholar 

  19. Nagler HM, de Vere White R (1982) The effect of testicular torsion on the contralateral testis. J Urol 128:1343–1348

    Google Scholar 

  20. Rich KA, Kerr JB, de Krester DM (1979) Evidence for Leydig cell dysfunction in rats with seminiferous tubule damage. Mol Cell Endocrinol 13:123–135

    Google Scholar 

  21. Steer MW (1981) Understanding cell structure. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  22. Weibel ER, Bolender RP (1973) Stereological techniques for electron microscopic morphometry. In: Hayat MA (ed) Principles and techniques of electron microscopy. Van Nostrand Reinhold Col, New York, p 237–296

    Google Scholar 

  23. York JP, Drago JR (1985) Torsion and the contralateral testicle. J Urol 133:294–297

    Google Scholar 

  24. Zirkin BR, Ewing LL, Kromann N, Cochran RC (1980) Testosterone secretion by rat, rabbit, guinea pig, dog and hamster testes perfused in vitro: correlation with Leydig cell ultrastructure. Endocrinology 107:1867–1874

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hikim, A.P.S., Chakraborty, J. & Jhunjhunwala, J.S. Effects of experimental torsion of the spermatic cord on Leydig cell function in the guinea pig testis: An ultrastructural stereological analysis. Urol. Res. 14, 253–256 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00256568

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00256568

Key words

Navigation