scholarly journals STEREOLOGICAL QUANTITATION OF LEYDIG AND SERTOLI CELLS IN THE TESTIS FROM YOUNG AND OLD MEN

2011 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter M Petersen ◽  
Bente Pakkenberg

One of the newer stereological methods, the optical fractionator, was applied to the study of the effects of ageing on the human testis. The estimated total number of Sertoli and Leydig cells per testis in men younger than 30 years were 430×106 (CV = SD/mean = 0.35) and 117×106 (CV = 0.53), respectively, while in men older than 50 years the estimated total Sertoli cell number was 266×106 (CV = 0.46) and the mean Leydig cell number 83×106 (CV = 0.53). The difference between the number of Sertoli cells in men younger than 30 years compared with men older than 50 years was close to statistical significance (p = 0.052) while no differences was found in total Leydig cell number (p = 0.22).

2009 ◽  
Vol 52 (6) ◽  
pp. 1461-1472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaqueline Carlos ◽  
Sérgio Luis Pinto da Matta

The aim of this work was to study the testicular morphometry of captivity-bred adult bullfrogs. Fifteen young adult male were studied, in the rainy season and a lengthy photoperiod. The GSI was established at 0.15%. The nuclear diameter of germinative and Leydig cells, the nucleolus diameter of Sertoli cells and the area of cysts and tubules were determined and the mean number of ISPC, IISPC and SPT per cyst and the mean number of cysts per tubule was estimated. The nucleoplasmatic proportion of the nucleus of the Leydig cell was 76.22%, indicating less cytoplasmic activity. Eight generations of spermatogonia were found. The spermatogenesis efficiency in meiosis and in mitosis was 63 and 49%, respectively. The spermatogenesis of bullfrog fited in the pattern of other captivity Anurans, with differences as the morphology of Sertoli and Leydig cells nuclei.


Reproduction ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 139 (1) ◽  
pp. 177-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
P J O'Shaughnessy ◽  
A Monteiro ◽  
G Verhoeven ◽  
K De Gendt ◽  
M H Abel

FSH and androgen act to stimulate and maintain spermatogenesis. FSH acts directly on the Sertoli cells to stimulate germ cell number and acts indirectly to increase androgen production by the Leydig cells. In order to differentiate between the direct effects of FSH on spermatogenesis and those mediated indirectly through androgen action, we have crossed hypogonadal (hpg) mice, which lack gonadotrophins, with mice lacking androgen receptors (AR) either ubiquitously (ARKO) or specifically on the Sertoli cells (SCARKO). These hpg.ARKO and hpg.SCARKO mice were treated with recombinant FSH for 7 days and testicular morphology and cell numbers were assessed. In untreated hpg and hpg.SCARKO mice, germ cell development was limited and did not progress beyond the pachytene stage. In hpg.ARKO mice, testes were smaller with fewer Sertoli cells and germ cells compared to hpg mice. Treatment with FSH had no effect on Sertoli cell number but significantly increased germ cell numbers in all groups. In hpg mice, FSH increased the numbers of spermatogonia and spermatocytes, and induced round spermatid formation. In hpg.SCARKO and hpg.ARKO mice, in contrast, only spermatogonial and spermatocyte numbers were increased with no formation of spermatids. Leydig cell numbers were increased by FSH in hpg and hpg.SCARKO mice but not in hpg.ARKO mice. Results show that in rodents 1) FSH acts to stimulate spermatogenesis through an increase in spermatogonial number and subsequent entry of these cells into meiosis, 2) FSH has no direct effect on the completion of meiosis and 3) FSH effects on Leydig cell number are mediated through interstitial ARs.


2011 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter M Petersen ◽  
Aleksander Giwercman ◽  
Hans Jørgen G Gundersen ◽  
Bente Pakkenberg

The possibility of obtaining reliable estimates of the total number of Sertoli and Leydig cells from biopsies by use of the optical fractionator method was tested. The total number of Sertoli and Leydig cells was 522x106 (CV = 0.27) and 89x106 (CV = 0.34), respectively, when sampling in the entire testis while the mean total number of Sertoli and Leydig cells, sampling from biopsies, was 494x106 and 103x106, respectively, statistically a non-significant difference. The present study indicated that total number of testicular cells can be estimated stereologically from the number of cells in biopsies if the sizes of testis and the biopsy can be assessed with adequate precision.


1985 ◽  
Vol 248 (2) ◽  
pp. E176-E181
Author(s):  
M. Benahmed ◽  
J. Reventos ◽  
E. Tabone ◽  
J. M. Saez

To determine the precise role of Sertoli cells in the stimulating effects of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) on Leydig cell activity, porcine purified Leydig and Sertoli cells were cultured separately or together in a chemically defined medium in the absence or presence of porcine, FSH 50 ng/ml. Leydig cell activity was evaluated using two parameters: human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) binding sites; and hCG-stimulated cAMP production and testosterone secretion. First, it was found that FSH increases Leydig cell activity in crude Leydig cell preparations (40–60% of Leydig cells), whereas it exerts no effect on purified Leydig cells (greater than 90% of Leydig cells). Second, FSH stimulates the activity of Leydig cells cocultured with Sertoli cells, whereas it remains without effect on purified Leydig cells cultured alone. This stimulating effect of FSH on Leydig cell activity is dependent on the Sertoli cell number in the coculture. These data 1) show that the stimulating effect of FSH on Leydig cell function is mediated by Sertoli cells and 2) support the concept of local control of Leydig cell function originating from Sertoli cells.


Author(s):  
Enes Sari ◽  
Levent FAZLI Umur

BACKGROUND:The aim of this study was to evaluate the information quality of YouTube videos on hallux valgus. METHODS:A YouTube search was performed using the keyword 'hallux valgus' to determine the first 300 videos related to hallux valgus. A total of 54 videos met our inclusion criteria and evaluated for information quality by using DISCERN, Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and hallux valgus information assessment (HAVIA) scores. Number of views, time since the upload date, view rate, number of comments, number of likes, number of dislikes, video power index (VPI) values were calculated to determine video popularity. Video length (sec), video source and video content were also noted. The relation between information quality and these factors were statistically evaluated. RESULTS:The mean DISCERN score was 30.35{plus minus}11.56 (poor quality) (14-64), the mean JAMA score was 2.28{plus minus}0.96 (1-4), and the mean HAVIA score was 3.63{plus minus}2.42 (moderate quality) (0.5-8.5). Although videos uploaded by physicians had higher mean DISCERN, JAMA, and HAVIA scores than videos uploaded by non-physicians, the difference was not statistically significant. Additionally, view rates and VPI values were higher for videos uploaded by health channels, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between video length and DISCERN (r= 0.294, p= 0.028), and HAVIA scores (r= 0.326, p= 0.015). CONCLUSIONS:This present study demonstrated that the quality of information available on YouTube videos about hallux valgus was low and insufficient. Videos containing accurate information from reliable sources are needed to educate patients on hallux valgus, especially in less frequently mentioned topics such as postoperative complications and healing period.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ziyang Chen ◽  
Kai-Ming Chen ◽  
Ying Shi ◽  
Zhao-Da Ye ◽  
Sheng Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract AimTo investigate the effect of orthokeratology (OK) lens on axial length (AL) elongation in myopia with anisometropia children.MethodsThirty-seven unilateral myopia (group 1) and fifty-nine bilateral myopia with anisometropia children were involved in this 1-year retrospective study. And bilateral myopia with anisometropia children were divided into group 2A (diopter of the lower SER eye under − 2.00D) and group 2B(diopter of the lower SER eye is equal or greater than − 2.00D). The change in AL were observed.The datas were analysed using SPSS 21.0.Results(1) In group 1, the mean baseline AL of the H eyes and L eye were 24.70 ± 0.89 mm and 23.55 ± 0.69 mm, respectively. In group 2A, the mean baseline AL of the H eyes and L eyes were 24.61 ± 0.84 mm and 24.00 ± 0.70 mm respectively. In group 2B, the mean baseline AL of the H eyes and L eyes were 25.28 ± 0.72 mm and 24.70 ± 0.74 mm. After 1 year, the change in AL of the L eyes was faster than the H eyes in group 1 and group 2A (all P<0.001).While the AL of the H eyes and L eyes had the same increased rate in group 2B. (2) The effect of controlling AL elongation of H eyes is consistent in three groups (P = 0.559).The effect of controlling AL elongation of L eyes in group 2B was better than that in group 1 and group 2A (P < 0.001). And the difference between group 1 and group 2A has no statistical significance. (3) The AL difference in H eyes and L eyes decreased from baseline 1.16 ± 0.55mm to 0.88 ± 0.68mm after 1 year in group 1.And in group 2A, the AL difference in H eyes and L eyes decreased from baseline 0.61 ± 0.34mm to 0.48 ± 0.28mm. There was statistically significant difference (all P<0.001). In group 2B, the baseline AL difference in H eyes and L eyes has no significant difference from that after 1 year (P = 0.069).ConclusionsMonocular OK lens is effective on suppression AL growth of the myopic eyes and reduce anisometropia value in unilateral myopic children. Binocular OK lenses only reduce anisometropia with the diopter of the low eye under − 2.00D. Binocular OK lenses cannot reduce anisometropia with the diopter of the low eye equal or greater than − 2.00D. Whether OK lens can reduce refractive anisometropia value is related to the spherical equivalent refractive of low refractive eye in bilateral myopia with anisometropia children after 1-year follow-up.


2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (4Supl1) ◽  
pp. 2551
Author(s):  
Juliana Stephany de Souza ◽  
Maria Carolina Villani Miguel ◽  
Marcos Antônio Maioli ◽  
Arthur Nelson Trali Neto ◽  
David Giraldo Arana ◽  
...  

The study of gonadal development improves the understanding of factors that can influence the reproductive development process. This study aims to characterize bovine fetal testicular development and the testosterone level in the Nellore breed. For the study, 162 bovine fetuses aged between 3 and 8 months were collected from Nellore cows at a local abattoir. The fetal age was estimated by DP=8.4+0.087L+5.46?L, where DP is the estimated pregnancy day and L represents fetal length. The fetal gonadal weight (g), width (cm), and thickness (cm) were measured. Thereafter, the gonads were submitted to classic histology processes in 3-µm-thick slices cut at 210 µm intervals. The Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, and germ cells were counted. Blood samples were collected from umbilical cords for testosterone levels. The data were analyzed using the Spearman correlation test followed by Principal Component Analysis and one-way ANOVA to compare the averages between months. The testicular weight and volume were found to have a positive correlation with the numbers of Sertoli cells (r = 0.84; p < 0.0001 and r = 0.92; p < 0.0001, respectively), Leydig cells (r = 0.80; p < 0.0001 and r = 0.90; p < 0.0001, respectively), and germ cells (r = 0.84; p < 0.0001 and r = 0.93; p < 0.0001, respectively) and to be negatively correlated with testosterone plasmatic concentration (r = -0.31; p = 0.0001 and r = -0.22; p = 0.006, respectively) during pregnancy. After the fifth month, the numbers of Sertoli cells, Leydig cells and germ cells differed (p < 0.0001) from the following gestational months. The highest testosterone concentration (p = 0.007) was observed in the fifth month of gestation and was followed by a concentration decrease in the seventh and eighth months. The increase in cell quantity was responsible for the increase in testicular weight and volume during fetal development. On the other hand, the testosterone concentration followed the increase in testicular weight and volume until the 7th month of gestation and regressed during the 8th and 9th months, in addition to the increase in cell number.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (12) ◽  
pp. 2663-2676
Author(s):  
Valentina Mularoni ◽  
Valentina Esposito ◽  
Sara Di Persio ◽  
Elena Vicini ◽  
Gustavo Spadetta ◽  
...  

Abstract STUDY QUESTION What are the consequences of ageing on human Leydig cell number and hormonal function? SUMMARY ANSWER Leydig cell number significantly decreases in parallel with INSL3 expression and Sertoli cell number in aged men, yet the in vitro Leydig cell androgenic potential does not appear to be compromised by advancing age. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY There is extensive evidence that ageing is accompanied by decline in serum testosterone levels, a general involution of testis morphology and reduced spermatogenic function. A few studies have previously addressed single features of the human aged testis phenotype one at a time, but mostly in tissue from patients with prostate cancer. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This comprehensive study examined testis morphology, Leydig cell and Sertoli cell number, steroidogenic enzyme expression, INSL3 expression and androgen secretion by testicular fragments in vitro. The majority of these endpoints were concomitantly evaluated in the same individuals that all displayed complete spermatogenesis. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Testis biopsies were obtained from 15 heart beating organ donors (age range: 19–85 years) and 24 patients (age range: 19–45 years) with complete spermatogenesis. Leydig cells and Sertoli cells were counted following identification by immunohistochemical staining of specific cell markers. Gene expression analysis of INSL3 and steroidogenic enzymes was carried out by qRT-PCR. Secretion of 17-OH-progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, androstenedione and testosterone by in vitro cultured testis fragments was measured by LC-MS/MS. All endpoints were analysed in relation to age. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Increasing age was negatively associated with Leydig cell number (R = −0.49; P &lt; 0.01) and concomitantly with the Sertoli cell population size (R= −0.55; P &lt; 0.001). A positive correlation (R = 0.57; P &lt; 0.001) between Sertoli cell and Leydig cell numbers was detected at all ages, indicating that somatic cell attrition is a relevant cellular manifestation of human testis status during ageing. INSL3 mRNA expression (R= −0.52; P &lt; 0.05) changed in parallel with Leydig cell number and age. Importantly, steroidogenic capacity of Leydig cells in cultured testis tissue fragments from young and old donors did not differ. Consistently, age did not influence the mRNA expression of steroidogenic enzymes. The described changes in Leydig cell phenotype with ageing are strengthened by the fact that the different age-related effects were mostly evaluated in tissue from the same men. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION In vitro androgen production analysis could not be correlated with in vivo hormone values of the organ donors. In addition, the number of samples was relatively small and there was scarce information about the concomitant presence of potential confounding variables. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This study provides a novel insight into the effects of ageing on human Leydig cell status. The correlation between Leydig cell number and Sertoli cell number at any age implies a connection between these two cell types, which may be of particular relevance in understanding male reproductive disorders in the elderly. However aged Leydig cells do not lose their in vitro ability to produce androgens. Our data have implications in the understanding of the physiological role and regulation of intratesticular sex steroid levels during the complex process of ageing in humans. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by grants from Prin 2010 and 2017. The authors have no conflicts of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.


2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Zhang ◽  
Y. Wang ◽  
J. Zhang ◽  
L. Wang ◽  
Q. Li ◽  
...  

The nerve growth factor (NGF) not only has an essential effect on the nervous system, but also plays an important role in a variety of non-neuronal systems, such as the reproductive system. The aim of this study was to investigate the seasonal changes in<strong> </strong>expression of NGF and its receptors (TrkA and p75) in testes of the wild ground squirrel during the breeding and nonbreeding seasons.<strong> </strong>Immunolocalization for NGF was detected mainly in Leydig cells and Sertoli cells in testes of the breeding and nonbreeding seasons. The immunoreactivity of TrkA was highest in the elongated spermatids, whereas p75 in spermatogonia and spermatocytes in testes of the breeding season. In the nonbreeding season testes, TrkA showed positive immunostainings in Leydig cells, spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes, while p75 showed positive signals in spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes. Consistent with the immunohistochemical results, the mean mRNA and protein level of NGF and TrkA were higher in the testes of the breeding season, and then decreased to a relatively low level in the nonbreeding season. In addition, the concentration of plasma gonadotropins and testosterone were assayed by radioimmunoassay (RIA), and the results showed a significant seasonal change between the breeding and nonbreeding seasons. To conclude, these results of this study provide the first evidence on the potential involvement of NGF and its receptor, TrkA and p75 in the seasonal spermatogenesis and testicular function change of the wild ground squirrel.


2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 99
Author(s):  
M. Gould ◽  
H. D. Nicholson

Recent evidence suggests that oestrogen plays a physiological role in the testis. Both oestrogen receptor alpha and oestrogen receptor beta (ERb) are present in the testis and administration of oestrogen has been shown to inhibit the development of Sertoli, Leydig and germ cells. This study investigates the effect of ERb on the testis using ERb knockout mice (bERKO). Adult male bERKO mice (n=8) and their wild-type littermates (n=7) were killed at 11 weeks postpartum. One testis from each animal was fixed in Bouin’s fluid and embedded. Each testis was fractionated and thick sections cut and stained with PAS. The optical disector method was used to count the number of Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids in each testis. Trunk blood was collected and plasma testosterone concentrations measured by radioimmunoassay. No significant differences in body or testis weight were seen between the bERKO or wild-type mice. Similar numbers of Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids were also observed between the two groups. The number of Leydig cells was significantly increased in bERKO mice compared with their wild-type littermates (P < 0.05). Despite the increased number of Leydig cells in the bERKO mice there was no significant difference in plasma testosterone concentrations in this group compared to the wild-type mice. Oestrogen has been reported to inhibit proliferation of adult-type Leydig cells and to inhibit steroidogenesis. This study suggests that the regulation of Leydig cell proliferation may be mediated by ERb. The presence of normal circulating testosterone concentrations in bERKO mice suggests that the effects of oestrogen on steroidogenesis are not brought about by ERbeta.


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