Sertoli Cells and Leydig Cells in Man

ISBN-13: 9783540136033 / Angielski / Miękka / 1984 / 106 str.

Cornelia Schulze

Opis

The testis is composed of seminiferous tubules and interstitial tissue. The most important component of the interstitial tissue are the testosterone-producing Leydig cells. The seminiferous tubules contain the successive generations of germ cells, which can only exist in the presence of Sertoli cells. Sertoli cells mediate the effect of testosterone, which is indispensable for the maintenance of spermatogenesis. Consequently, the function of the Sertoli cells depends large- lyon the function of the Leydig cells, and a local control mechanism between the two cell systems has been assumed. Sertoli cells are supposed to interfere with the regulation of Leydig cell hormone production (Aoki and Fawcett 1978; Sharpe et al. 1981). Few cell types of the testis have received as much attention in recent years as have the Sertoli cells. While comprehensive data had accumulated concerning the differentiation of germ cells, there was formerly little information available on the influence of Sertoli cells on this process. Only through recently developed methods and experimental approaches could their central role in spermatogene- sis be verified. Sertoli cells are the only somatic cells in the seminiferous tubules. Their origin is still disputed (for references see Ritzen et al. 1981). They supposedly stem either from the coelomic epithelium or from mesenchymal cells of the genital ridges. According to Wartenberg (1978) they are derived from a gonadal blas- tema containing cells from both the coelomic epithelium and the mesonephros.

Spis treści

1 Introduction.- 2 Material and Methods.- 2.1 Material.- 2.2 Methods.- 3 Results.- 3.1 Testis with Normal Spermatogenesis.- 3.1.1 Histology.- 3.1.2 Cytology of Sertoli Cells.- 3.1.2.1 Nucleus.- 3.1.2.2 Organdies.- 3.1.2.3 Cytoplasmic Inclusions.- 3.1.2.4 Junctional Specializations.- 3.1.2.5 Polar Differentiation.- 3.1.3 Cytology of Leydig Cells.- 3.1.3.1 Nucleus.- 3.1.3.2 Organelles.- 3.1.3.3 Cytoplasmic Inclusions.- 3.1.3.4 Junctional Specializations.- 3.1.3.5 Organization of Leydig Cell Clusters.- 3.2 Testis with Impaired Spermatogenesis.- 3.2.1 Idiopathic Sertoli-Cell-Only Syndrome.- 3.2.1.1 Histology.- 3.2.1.2 Cytology of Sertoli Cells.- 3.2.1.3 Cytology of Leydig Cells.- 3.2.1.4 Cytology of Leydig Cells in a Leydig Cell Adenoma.- 3.2.2 Sertoli-Cell-Only Syndrome After Combined Radio- and Chemotherapy.- 3.2.2.1 Histology.- 3.2.2.2 Cytology of Sertoli Cells.- 3.2.2.3 Cytology of Leydig Cells.- 3.2.3 Cryptorchidism.- 3.2.3.1 Histology.- 3.2.3.2 Cytology of Sertoli Cells.- 3.2.3.3 Sertoli Cells in Hypoplastic Zones.- 3.2.3.4 Cytology of Leydig Cells.- 3.2.3.5 Leydig Cells Within the Lamina Propria.- 3.2.4 Condition After Long-term Estrogen Treatment.- 3.2.4.1 Histology.- 3.2.4.2 Cytology of Sertoli Cells.- 3.2.4.3 Cytology of Interstitial Cells.- 3.2.5 Condition After Administration of Cyproterone Acetate.- 3.2.5.1 Histology.- 3.2.5.2 Cytology of Sertoli Cells.- 3.2.5.3 Cytology of Leydig Cells.- 3.2.6 Atrophied Testicular Tissue in the Vicinity of Testicular Tumors.- 3.2.6.1 Cytology of Sertoli Cells.- 4 Discussion.- 4.1 Sertoli Cells.- 4.1.1 Mature Sertoli Cells.- 4.1.1.1 Nucleus.- 4.1.1.2 Organelles.- 4.1.1.3 Cytoplasmic Inclusions.- 4.1.1.4 Junctional Specializations.- 4 1 2 Immature Sertoli Cells.- 4.2 Leydig Cells.- 4.2.1 Mature Leydig Cells.- 4.2.1.1 Organelles.- 4.2.1.2 Cytoplasmic Inclusions.- 4.2.1.3 Organization of Leydig Cell Clusters.- 4.2.1.4 Simultaneous Occurrence of Stimulated and Poorly Stimulated Leydig Cells.- 4.2.2 Hypertrophied Leydig Cells from a Leydig Cell Adenoma.- 4.2.3 Regressive Forms of Leydig Cells.- 4.2.4 Dedifferentiated Leydig Cells After Estrogen Therapy.- 4.2.5 Presumptive Precursor Cells of Leydig Cells.- 4.2.6 Heterotopic Leydig Cells.- 4.3 Histopathological Aspects.- 4.3.1 Idiopathic Sertoli-Cell-Only Syndrome.- 4.3.2 Sertoli-Cell-Only Syndrome After Combined Radio- and Chemotherapy.- 4.3.3 Sertoli-Cell-Only Syndrome and Other Findings in Cryptorchidism.- 4.3.4 Condition After Long-Term Estrogen Therapy.- 4.3.5 Condition After Administration of Cyproterone Acetate.- 5 Summary.- Acknowledgements.- 6 References.- 7 Subject Index.