HOME HELP CONTACT US SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Edwards, G. Articles by Morris, I. D. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Edwards, G. Articles by Morris, I. D.

A single injection of ethane-1,2-dimethanesulphonate (EDS; 100 mg/kg) selectively destroys Leydig cells in the testis of the adult rat; however, unconfirmed reports indicate that Leydig cells in the immature rat are not affected. In this study the effect of EDS was examined 2 days after treatment of rats aged 20, 25 or 35 days. There was a large reduction in the in-vitro binding of ¹²⁵I-labelled human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) to the homogenates of testes from EDS-treated immature rats. EDS reduced the testosterone content of the testes at all ages studied, but 2 days after injection had only significantly lowered the serum testosterone concentration of 25- or 35-day-old animals. Light microscopic examination of the testis of the 22-day-old rat, 2 days after treatment with EDS, indicated that there were still many cells staining for 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. The interstitium also contained numerous atypical cells which did not stain for 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Electron microscopy of testes from the 22-day-old EDS-treated rat showed that Leydig cells were still present in the interstitium together with macrophages and fibroblast-like cells. Six days after EDS treatment of 20-day-old rats, but not 35-day-old rats, there was an increase in the binding of ¹²⁵I-labelled hCG to testis homogenate to 70% of control value. Testicular testosterone content 6 days after treatment of the 20-day-old rat had risen to 50% of the control testis value. These changes documented in the 20-day-old rat after EDS treatment can be explained by either a cytocidal effect with subsequent repopulation of new Leydig cells which has been described in the adult rat or by a reversible cytotoxic action which has not previously been documented.

J. Endocr. (1988) 119, 475–482

This article has been cited by other articles:

				P J O'Shaughnessy, I D Morris, and P J Baker Leydig cell re-generation and expression of cell signaling molecules in the germ cell-free testis Reproduction, June 1, 2008; 135(6): 851 - 858. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. K. Tarka-Leeds, J. D. Suarez, N. L. Roberts, J. M. Rogers, M. P. Hardy, and G. R. Klinefelter Gestational Exposure to Ethane Dimethanesulfonate Permanently Alters Reproductive Competence in the CD-1 Mouse Biol Reprod, September 1, 2003; 69(3): 959 - 967. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]