Leydig Cell Function and Its Regulation

Abstract

The Leydig cell is the source of the male sex steroids, or androgens, which are essential for development and maintenance of the male phenotype, the male reproductive tract, and spermatogenesis. Disorders of androgen production or action, although relatively rare, have a profound impact upon development and fertility. In recent years, it has become evident that these steroids also impinge upon the function of other organ systems. Consequently, failure of Leydig cell function can have implications not only for reproductive health, but also for many aspects of general health. Beyond its traditional role as the primary source of androgens, Leydig cells produce other steroids and many non-steroidal factors. Increasingly, it is recognized that these other products play important roles in male reproduction, and have been implicated in vascular and immunological control within the environment of the testis. The non-androgenic functions of the Leydig cell have received comparatively little attention in the past, but are likely to excite far more interest as our understanding of the cellular and molecular environment of the testis develops.