Journal of Andrology Free Medline Services
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Duckett, R. J.
Right arrow Articles by Wreford, N. G.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Duckett, R. J.
Right arrow Articles by Wreford, N. G.

Journal of Andrology, Vol 18, Issue 4 417-423, Copyright © 1997 by The American Society of Andrology

JOURNAL ARTICLE

The effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone immunization and recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone on the Leydig cell and macrophage populations of the adult rat testis

R. J. Duckett, M. P. Hedger, R. I. McLachlan and N. G. Wreford
Institute of Reproduction and Development, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.

The objective of this study was to investigate the role of the gonadotropins and, in particular follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in maintaining the Leydig cell and macrophage populations of the adult rat testis. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats received a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) immunogen for a period of 12 weeks in order to induce a selective deficiency in luteinizing hormone (LH) and FSH. Recombinant human FSH was then administered for 7, 14 and 21 days and macrophages and Leydig cells per testis quantified using the "optical disector" method. After GnRH immunization, Leydig cell and macrophage numbers were reduced by 18% and 68%, respectively, compared with normal controls, resulting in an increase in the ratio of Leydig cells to macrophages from 4:1 to 9:1. Leydig cells regressed morphologically following GnRH immunization, and macrophage mean nuclear diameter was significantly reduced. Administration of FSH did not restore the numbers of either cell type; however, FSH did increase macrophage nuclear size. Eosinophils and mast cells were also found sparsely scattered throughout the interstitium after GnRH immunization and persisted in the FSH-treated animals. The results of this study indicate that in the adult rat: 1) both Leydig cell and macrophage numbers are reduced in the gonadotropin-deficient testis; 2) FSH has no effect on the number of either cell type in the absence of LH; and 3) testicular macrophage activity, as indicated by nuclear size, is stimulated by FSH, either directly or indirectly.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol.Home page
M. K. O'Bryan, O. Gerdprasert, D. J. Nikolic-Paterson, A. Meinhardt, J. A. Muir, L. M. Foulds, D. J. Phillips, D. M. de Kretser, and M. P. Hedger
Cytokine profiles in the testes of rats treated with lipopolysaccharide reveal localized suppression of inflammatory responses
Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, June 1, 2005; 288(6): R1744 - R1755.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J ANIM SCIHome page
J. M. Oatley, A. Tibary, D. M. de Avila, J. E. Wheaton, D. J. McLean, and J. J. Reeves
Changes in spermatogenesis and endocrine function in the ram testis due to irradiation and active immunization against luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone
J Anim Sci, March 1, 2005; 83(3): 604 - 612.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Cell Sci.Home page
A Meinhardt, M Bacher, M. O'Bryan, J. McFarlane, C Mallidis, C Lehmann, C. Metz, D. de Kretser, R Bucala, and M. Hedger
A switch in the cellular localization of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in the rat testis after ethane dimethane sulfonate treatment
J. Cell Sci., January 5, 1999; 112(9): 1337 - 1344.
[Abstract] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1997 by The American Society of Andrology.