Leydig cell

Leydig cell

Infobox Anatomy
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Caption = 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


Caption2 = Cross-section of seminiferous tubules. Arrows indicate location of Leydig cells.
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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.

Nomenclature

Leydig cells are named after the German anatomist Franz Leydig, who discovered them in 1850. [WhoNamedIt|synd|625]

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.

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.cite journal |author=Al-Agha O, Axiotis C |title=An in-depth look at Leydig cell tumor of the testis |journal=Arch Pathol Lab Med |volume=131 |issue=2 |pages=311–7 |year=2007 |pmid=17284120] cite web | author= Ramnani, Dharam M | title=Leydig Cell Tumor : Reinke's Crystalloids | url=http://www.webpathology.com/image.cfm?n=3&Case=38 | date=2005-01-25 | accessdate=2007-03-28]

Development

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


=Additional

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References

ee also

* Sertoli cell
* Sertoli-Leydig cell tumour

External links

*BUHistology|16907loa
* [http://www2.ufp.pt/~pedros/qfisio/reproduction.htm Reproductive Physiology]
* [http://www.umassmed.edu/faculty/graphics/700/Leefig1.jpgDiagram at umassmed.edu]


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Leydig cell — Ley·dig cell lī dig also Ley·dig s cell dig(z) n a cell of interstitial tissue of the testis that is usu. considered the chief source of testicular androgens and esp. testosterone called also cell of Leydig, interstitial cell of Leydig Ley·dig lī …   Medical dictionary

  • Leydig cell — noun a cell in the testes that secretes the hormone testosterone • Syn: ↑Leydig s cell • Hypernyms: ↑cell * * * /luy dig/, Anat. any of the interstitial cells of the testes that produce androgens. Also, Leydig s cell. [1900 05; named after F. von …   Useful english dictionary

  • Leydig cell — /luy dig/, Anat. any of the interstitial cells of the testes that produce androgens. Also, Leydig s cell. [1900 05; named after F. von Leydig (1821 1908), German physiologist] * * * …   Universalium

  • leydig cell — interstitial cell in the testicle that produces male sex hormones (Anatomy) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Leydig cell tumor — 1. the most common nongerminal tumor of the testis, derived from the Leydig cells of the testis; such tumors are rarely malignant. Called also interstitial cell t. 2. hilar cell t …   Medical dictionary

  • Leydig cell — Interstitial cells of the mammalian testis, involved in synthesis of testosterone …   Dictionary of molecular biology

  • Sertoli-Leydig cell tumour — DiseaseDisorder infobox Name = Sertoli Leydig cell tumour ICD10 = ICD9 = ICD9|183.0, ICD9|256.1 ICDO = 8631/0 DiseaseDisorder infobox Name = Arrhenoblastoma ICD10 = ICD9 = ICDO = 8630 Sertoli Leydig cell tumour, also known as arrhenoblastoma or… …   Wikipedia

  • cell of Leydig — cell of Ley·dig līd ig n LEYDIG CELL …   Medical dictionary

  • Leydig's cell — noun a cell in the testes that secretes the hormone testosterone • Syn: ↑Leydig cell • Hypernyms: ↑cell * * * noun see leydig cell …   Useful english dictionary

  • cell of leydig — Usage: usually capitalized L : leydig cell …   Useful english dictionary

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