Quantitation of Leydig Cell in Testicular Biopsies of Gossypol Treated rats

Abstract

Leydig cell density was evaluated quantitatively in bilateral testicular
biopsies from twenty male rats of two equal groups Gossypol treated and
control. The method utilized for this quantitation is based on the determination
of total number of Leydig cells, Leydig cell clusters and seminiferous tubules in
the entire histological section of each biopsy and the calculation of the following
indices: mean Leydig cells per seminiferous tubule, mean Leydig cell clusters
per seminiferous tubule and mean Leydig cells per cluster. A significant positive
correlation between Leydig cells per tubule and Leydig cell clusters per tubule
was demonstrated. The results of indices curve showed shifted all the curves to
the right in Gossypol treated group, a significant reduction in plasma
testosterone levels of Gossypol treatment group as compared to control group
which is due to decrease in Leydig cells number, suggesting that determination
of Leydig cell clusters per seminiferous tubule in testicular biopsies is an
objective and clinically applicable method for quantitative evaluation of Leydig
cell density and indirectly evaluated the secretary activity of the testicular
Leydig cells. The results are attributed to the direct effect of Gossypol on
secretary site of testosterone in Leydig cells or presumably indirect disturbance
of hypothalamic – pituitary gland – Leydig cells axis. An Association of
Gossypol treatment with Leydig cell hypo-function and decrease number of cells
was noticed for the male rat testosterone level. To our knowledge this is the first
report of quantitative analysis of Leydig cell density in rat with Gossypol
treatment and it is suitable for clinical evaluation of testicular dysfunction.
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