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Leydig cell
Image:Testicle-histology-boar-2.jpg
Histological section through testicular parenchyma of a boar. 1 Lumen of convoluted part of the seminiferous tubules, 2 spermatids, 3 spermatocytes, 4 spermatogonia, 5 Sertoli cell, 6 myofibroblasts, 7 Leydig cells, 8 capillaries
Latin	'
Gray's	subject #258 1243
System
MeSH	[1]
Image:Leydig cells.JPG
Cross-section of seminiferous tubules. Arrows indicate location of Leydig cells.

Leydig cells, also known as interstitial cells of Leydig, are found adjacent to the seminiferous tubules in the testicle. They can secrete testosterone and are often closely related to nerves. Leydig cells have round vesicular nuclei and a granular eosinophilic cytoplasm.

Contents 1 Nomenclature 2 Functions 3 Ultrastructure 4 Development 5 Additional images 6 References 7 See also 8 External links

[edit] Nomenclature

Leydig cells are named after the German anatomist Franz Leydig, who discovered them in 1850.^[1]

[edit] Functions

Leydig cells release a class of hormones called androgens (19-carbon steroids). They secrete testosterone, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), when stimulated by the pituitary hormone luteinizing hormone (LH). LH increases cholesterol desmolase activity (an enzyme associated with the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone), leading to testosterone synthesis secretion by Leydig cells.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) increases the response of Leydig cells to LH by increasing the number of LH receptors expressed on Leydig cells.

[edit] Ultrastructure

Leydig cells are polygonal, eosinophilic cells with a round vesicular nucleus and contain lipid droplets. They contain abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum, which accounts for their eosinophilia. Frequently, lipofuscin pigment and rod-shaped crystal-like structures (Reinke's crystals) are found.^[2][3]

[edit] Development

Leydig cells form during the 16th and 20th week of gestation and are quiescent until puberty.

[edit] Additional images

Gray1114.png Section of a genital cord of the testis of a human embryo 3.5 cm. long.

[edit] References

1. ↑ Who Named It synd/625
2. ↑ Al-Agha O, Axiotis C (2007). An in-depth look at Leydig cell tumor of the testis. Arch Pathol Lab Med 131 (2): 311-7.
3. ↑ Ramnani, Dharam M. Leydig Cell Tumor : Reinke's Crystalloids. URL accessed on 2007-03-28.

[edit] See also

• Sertoli cell
• Sertoli-Leydig cell tumour

[edit] External links

• Histology at Boston University 16907loa
• Reproductive Physiology
• Diagram at umassmed.edu

This box: view • talk • edit Male reproductive system
Scrotum	layers (skin, Dartos, External spermatic fascia, Cremaster, Internal spermatic fascia) • Perineal raphe • Spermatic cord
Testes	layers (Tunica vaginalis, Tunica albuginea) • Appendix • Mediastinum • Lobules • Septa • Leydig cell • Sertoli cell • Blood-testis barrier
Spermatogenesis	Spermatogonium • Spermatocytogenesis • Spermatocyte • Spermatidogenesis • Spermatid • Spermiogenesis • Spermatozoon
seminal tract	Seminiferous tubules (Tubuli seminiferi recti, Rete testis, Efferent ducts) • Epididymis  (Appendix) • Vas deferens • Ejaculatory duct  Seminal colliculus
urinary tract	Internal urethral orifice • Urethra (Prostatic, Intermediate, Spongy) • Urethral crest • Urethral gland • External urethral orifice
Penis	Corpus cavernosum • Corpus spongiosum • Navicular fossa of male urethra • Glans penis • Fundiform ligament • Suspensory ligament • Foreskin • Frenulum
accessory glands	Seminal vesicles  (Excretory duct of seminal gland) • Prostate  (Prostatic utricle, Prostatic sinus) • Bulbourethral glands

This page uses content from the English-language version of Wikipedia. The original article was at Leydig cell. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Psychology Wiki, the text of Wikipedia is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.