Comparison of the cellular composition and steroidogenic properties of preparations of interstitial cells isolated from immature and mature rat testis

Themmen, Axel P. N.; Molenaar, R.; Visser, W.; Jongkind, J. F.; Rommerts, F. F. G.; Molen, H. J. van der

doi:10.1677/joe.0.1120361

Cited by 11 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…On the other hand, it can not be excluded that in the FSH-treated rats, other interstitial cells (possible Leydig cell precursors), which are not identified as Leydig cells, are also active in steroid pro¬ duction. However, in intact immature rats, Themmen, Molenaar, Visser et al (1987) found no evidence for a discrepancy between morphological and functional properties of interstitial (Leydig) cells. It is, therefore, unlikely that cells that are not identified as Leydig cells contribute to steroidogenesis after treatment with FSH.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

Effects of pure FSH and LH preparations on the number and function of Leydig cells in immature hypophysectomized rats

Teerds

Closset²,

Rommerts³

et al. 1989

Journal of Endocrinology

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104

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The effects of pure FSH and/or LH preparations on the number of Leydig cells and their function in immature hypophysectomized rats have been investigated. As a result of hypophysectomy at the age of 17-18 days, the number of recognizable Leydig cells per testis decreased, as did the steroidogenic capacity in vivo and in vitro. Treatment with 64 micrograms FSH on both 22 and 23 days of age, did not affect the number of recognizable Leydig cells. In contrast, two injections of LH (10 micrograms) caused a sixfold increase in the number of Leydig cells, but had a negative effect on spermatogenesis. These stimulatory and inhibitory effects of LH diminished when FSH was added. Treatment with FSH for 7 days caused a twofold increase in the number of Leydig cells when compared with hypophysectomized controls. 3 beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta-HSD) and esterase activity in Leydig cells also increased under the influence of FSH. The pregnenolone production per Leydig cell in the presence of 5-cholesten-3 beta,22(R)-diol (22R-hydroxycholesterol) as substrate showed a sevenfold increase. Plasma testosterone levels 2 h after injection of human chorionic gonadotrophin in intact rats and hypophysectomized FSH-treated rats were the same. Following LH treatment for 7 days, the number of Leydig cells proved to be 11 times higher, and 3 beta-HSD and esterase activity were not different from intact controls. The testicular pregnenolone production was four- to fivefold higher when compared with untreated hypophysectomized rats. However, pregnenolone production per Leydig cell in LH-treated rats was only slightly different from the hypophysectomized controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

Effects of pure FSH and LH preparations on the number and function of Leydig cells in immature hypophysectomized rats

Teerds

Closset²,

Rommerts³

et al. 1989

Journal of Endocrinology

Self Cite

104

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“…TIMs represent the second largest population, contributing up to 20% of TICs [Miller et al, 1983]. In vitro, TIMs are often present in TICs preparations, though are rarely observed in Leydig cells cultures [Niemi et al, 1986;Themmen et al, 1987;Hedger, 1997]. In the testicular interstitium, Leydig cells are in close physical contacts with neighboring TIMs [Miller et al, 1983].…”

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confidence: 99%

Role of testicular interstitial macrophages in regulating testosterone release in hyperprolactinemia

Huang¹,

Yeh²,

Kan³

et al. 2002

J of Cellular Biochemistry

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Hyperprolactinemia-induced hypogonadism has been linked to a dysfunction of the hypothalamus-pituitary-testis axis. The direct inhibitory effects of prolactin on the testicular release of testosterone have also been demonstrated, though their mechanisms remain unclear. Incubation of rat testicular interstitial cells (TICs) with prolactin stimulated the release of testosterone. TICs from rats with anterior pituitary-grafting-induced hyperprolactinemia release lower amounts of testosterone than controls. However, Leydig cells isolated from anterior pituitary-grafted rats release a greater amount of testosterone. These paradoxical observations have remained unexplained. This study examined the roles of testicular interstitial macrophages and of their product, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), in regulating Leydig cells under condition of hyperprolactinemia. Hyperprolactinemia was induced by grafting two anterior pituitary glands of rats under the renal capsule. Control animals were grafted with rat cortex tissue. The rats were sacrificed 6 weeks later. TICs and macrophages, and Leydig cells were isolated for in vitro incubation and drugs challenge. Testosterone released by testicular interstitial or Leydig cells was measured by radioimmunoassay. TNF-alpha concentration in the medium of TICs or macrophages was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A dose-dependent stimulation of TNF-alpha secretion in the medium of TICs or macrophages by the prolactin challenge was observed. Higher amounts of TNF-alpha were released by TICs in the anterior pituitary-grafted rats than in the control group. In contrast, the release of TNF-alpha by testicular interstitial macrophages isolated from the anterior pituitary- and cortex-grafted groups was quantitatively similar. Challenge with human chorionic gonadotropin did not modify the TNF-alpha release by testicular interstitial macrophages in either group. Challenge of Leydig cells with TNF-alpha inhibited their release of testosterone stimulated by human chorionic gonadotropin, but not their basal testosterone release. These different patterns of testosterone release in TICs versus Leydig cells cultures in anterior pituitary-grafted rats may be due to the influence of testicular interstitial macrophages. These observations correlate with in vivo conditions, where prolactin increases the release of TNF-alpha by testicular interstitial macrophages, which, in turn, decreases the human chorionic gonadotropin-stimulated release of testosterone by Leydig cells. In summary, hyperprolactinemia-induced hypogonadism involves a mechanism of prolactin-originated, macrophage-mediated inhibitory regulation of testosterone release by Leydig cells. TNF-alpha, one of the cytokines secreted by macrophages, may play a key role in this mechanism.

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“…Furthermore, it was not possible to observe the ramified and extended cell processes of macrophages in sections stained with toluidine blue or PAS‐haematoxylin. Using the morphological criteria described above, Themmen et al . (1987 ) reported that it is not possible to detect any testicular macrophages before 21 days of age in rats, and Vergowen et al .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, it was not possible to observe the rami®ed and extended cell processes of macrophages in sections stained with toluidine blue or PAS-haematoxylin. Using the morphological criteria described above, Themmen et al (1987) reported that it is not possible to detect any testicular macrophages before 21 days of age in rats, and Vergowen et al (1991) concluded that only 1.5% of the total number of testicular interstitial cells are recognized as macrophages in young adult mice. Therefore, immunohistochemical studies involving antimacrophage antibodies may provide more precise information about the developmental distribution of testicular macrophages.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Immunohistochemical detection of testicular macrophages during the period of postnatal maturation in the mouse

Itoh

Yano

et al. 1998

Int J of Andrology

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In the present study, the distribution of F4/80, a highly specific antigen of murine macrophages, was studied in the testes of maturing ICR mice to investigate postnatal development of testicular macrophages. The antigen was immunohistochemically identified at the light microscopic level on days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 42 and at 8 weeks after birth. Only a few macrophages were present between developing seminiferous tubules on day 0, but by day 7, the cell density of macrophages in the interstitium was significantly increased. Although the cell processes of the macrophages were very short on days 0 and 7, it was found that their cell processes were extended on days 14 and 21. On day 28, it was observed that the cell density of macrophages increased further and their cell processes became longer, resulting in the formation of a network between adjacent macrophages. Thereafter, the interstitial spaces were found to be narrower due to the increasing diameter of developing seminiferous tubules, although similar physical contact between the testicular macrophages to that seen on day 28 was evident. Moreover, the cell density of macrophages at 8 weeks of age did not differ significantly compared with that on day 28. These results demonstrate that testicular macrophages develop rapidly for the first 4 weeks in the mouse testis.

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Comparison of the cellular composition and steroidogenic properties of preparations of interstitial cells isolated from immature and mature rat testis

Cited by 11 publications

References 25 publications

Effects of pure FSH and LH preparations on the number and function of Leydig cells in immature hypophysectomized rats

Effects of pure FSH and LH preparations on the number and function of Leydig cells in immature hypophysectomized rats

Role of testicular interstitial macrophages in regulating testosterone release in hyperprolactinemia

Immunohistochemical detection of testicular macrophages during the period of postnatal maturation in the mouse

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