Abstract

A single intraperitoneal injection of ethane dimethanesulphonate (EDS) destroys all Leydig cells in the adult rat testis but 1-2 weeks later new foetal-type Leydig cells begin to regenerate within the interstitial tissue. A further EDS treatment at 4 weeks failed to kill the new population of foetal-type Leydig cells. Between 10-20 weeks, the new Leydig cells exhibited the characteristics of adult-type Leydig cells. These cells responded to another EDS treatment by exhibiting a second phase of complete degeneration followed by regeneration of a foetal-type and subsequently an adult-type cell population. The results indicate that the testis retains the ability to replenish its supply of Leydig cells despite successive phases of total degradation of Leydig cells.

Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call