Summary
Leydig cells from testes of two-day-old chicks show a decrease in the size of the lipid droplets, an increase in rough endoplasmic reticulum, the appearance of bizarre mitochondrial shapes and the striking development of polysomes after stimulation with luteinizing hormone in a dosage known to stimulate testosterone synthesis.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aoki, A.: Hormonal control of Leydig cell differentiation. Protoplasma 71, 209–225 (1971).
Applegren, L.E.: Sites of steroid hormone formation. Autoradiographic studies using labelled precursors. Acta physiol. scand., Suppl. 301, 108 pp. (1967).
Baillie, A.H., Ferguson, M.M., Hart, D.McK.: Developments in steroid histochemistry. London and New York: Academic Press 1966.
Black, V.H., Christensen, A.K.: Differentiation of interstitial cells and Sertoli cells in fetal guinea pig testes. Amer. J. Anat. 124, 211–238 (1969).
Breneman, W.R., Zeller, F.J., Beekman, B.E.: Gonadotropin assay in chicks. Poultry Sci. 38, 152–158 (1959).
Brenner, R.M.: Fine structure of adrenocortical cells in adult Rhesus monkeys. Amer. J. Anat. 119, 429–453 (1966).
Christensen, A.K.: The fine structure of testicular interstitial cells in guinea pigs. J. Cell Biol. 26, 911–935 (1965).
Christensen, A.K., Fawcett, D.W.: The normal fine structure of opossum testicular interstitial cells. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 9, 653–670 (1961).
Christensen, A.K., Gillim, S.W.: The correlation of fine structure and function in steroidsecreting cells with emphasis on those of gonads. In: The gonads (K.W. McKerns, ed.), chap. 16, p. 415–488. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts 1969.
Connell, G.M., Connell, C.J., Eik-Nes, K.: Testosterone synthesis by the two-day-old chick testis in vitro. Gen. comp. Endocr. 7, 158–165 (1966).
Crabo, B.: Fine structure of the interstitial cells of the rabbit testis. Z. Zellforsch. 61, 587–604 (1963).
Dallner, G., Siekevitz, P., Palade, G.E.: Biogenesis of endoplasmic reticulum membranes. I. Structural and chemical differentiation in developing rat hepatocytes. J. Cell Biol. 30, 73–96 (1966a).
Dallner, G., Siekevitz, P., Palade, G.E.: Biogenesis of endoplasmic reticulum membranes. II. Synthesis of constitutive microsomal enzymes in developing rat hepatocytes. J. Cell Biol. 30, 97–117 (1966b).
Dingemans, K.P.: The relation between cilia and mitosis in the mouse adenohypophysis. J. Cell Biol. 43, 361–366 (1969).
Fawcett, D.W.: An atlas of fine structure: The cell, its organelles, and inclusions. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders 1966.
Fawcett, D.W., Burgos, M.H.: Studies on the fine structure of the mammalian testis. II. The human interstitial tissue. Amer. J. Anat. 107, 245–269 (1960).
Fonte, V.G., Searls, R.L., Hilfer, S.R.: The relationship of cilia with cell division and differentiation. J. Cell Biol. 49, 226–229 (1971).
Frank, A.L., Christensen, A.K.: Localization of acid phosphatase in lipofuscin granules and possible autophagic vacuoles in interstitial cells of the guinea pig testis. J. Cell Biol. 36, 1–13 (1968).
Haffen, K.: Biosynthesis of steroid hormones by the embryonic gonads of vertebrates. Advances in morphogenesis (M. Abercrombie, Brachet, J., King, T.J., eds.), vol. 8, p. 285–306. New York: Academic Press 1970.
Hall, P.F., Irbey, O.C., Kretser, D.M. de: Conversion of cholesterol to androgens by rat testes: Comparison of interstitial cells and seminiferous tubules. Endocrinology 84, 488–496 (1969).
Jamieson, J.V., Palade, G.: Intracellular transport of secretory proteins in the pancreatic exocrine cell. J. Cell Biol. 34, 577–596; 597–613 (1967).
Kretser, D.M. de: Changes in the fine structure of human testicular interstitial cells after treatment with human gonadotrophins. Z. Zellforsch. 83, 344–358 (1967).
Long, J.A., Jones, A.L.: The fine structure of the zona glomerulosa and the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex of the opossum. Amer. J. Anat. 120, 463–487 (1967).
Luft, J.H.: Improvements in epoxy resin embedding methods. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 9, 409–414 (1961).
Menon, K.M.J., Dorfman, R.I., Forchielli, E.: Influence of gonadotrophins on the cholesterol side-chain cleavage reaction by rat-testis mitochondrial preparations. Biochem. biophys. Acta (Amst.) 148, 486–494 (1967).
Merkow, L., Acevedo, H., Slifkin, M., Caito, B.J.: Studies on the interstitial cells of the testis. I. The ultrastructure in the immature guinea pig and the effect of stimulation with human chorionic gonadotropin. Amer. J. Path. 53, 47–62 (1968a).
Merkow, L., Acevedo, H., Slifkin, M., Pardo, M.: Studies on the interstitial cells of the testis. II. The ultrastructure in the adult guinea pig and the effect of stimulation with human chorionic gonadotropin. Amer. J. Path. 53, 989–1007 (1968b).
Murakami, M., Tonutti, E.: Submikroskopische Veränderungen der Leydig-Zellen des Rattenhodens nach Behandlung mit Östrogenen und nach Gonadotropinzufuhr. Endokrinologie 50, 231–250 (1966).
Narbaitz, R., Adler, R.: Submicroscopic observations on the differentiation of chick gonads. J. Embryol. exp. Morph. 16, 41–47 (1966).
Porter, K.R., Kallman, F.: The properties and effects of osmium tetroxide as a tissue fixative with special reference to its use for electron microscopy. Exp. Cell Res. 4, 127–141 (1953).
Reynolds, E.S.: The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electron-opaque stain in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 17, 208–212 (1963).
Russo, J., Sacerdote, F.L.: Ultrastructural changes induced by HCG in the Leydig cell of the adult mouse testis. Z. Zellforsch. 112, 363–370 (1971).
Sabatini, D.D., Bensch, K.G., Barrnett, R.J.: Cytochemistry and electron microscopy. The preservation of cellular ultrastructure and enzymatic activity by aldehyde fixation. J. Cell Biol. 17, 19–58 (1963).
Spurlock, B.O., Kattine, V.C., Freeman, J.: Technical modifications in Maraglas embedding. J. Cell Biol. 17, 203–207 (1963).
Watson, M.L.: Staining of tissue sections for electron microscopy with heavy metals. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 4, 475–478 (1958).
Wheatley, D.N.: Cilia and centrioles of the rat adrenal cortex. J. Anat. (Lond.) 101, 223–237 (1967).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Submitted to the faculty of the Graduate School in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in the Department of Zoology, Indiana University, August 1970. Contribution No. 858 of the Zoology Department, Indiana University. This work was supported by Public Health Service Fellowship 5-Fl-GM-21, 193-02. I wish to thank Dr. A.K. Christensen for his helpful discussion of this manuscript.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Connell, C.J. The effect of luteinizing hormone on the ultrastructure of the leydig cell of the chick. Z.Zellforsch 128, 139–151 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00306894
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00306894