[Leydig cell function in experimental cryptorchism and varicocele in rats]

Leydig cells were isolated from testes of normal, cryptorchid and induced- varicocele rats. These cells were counted and coincubated with and without human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) during 3 hours; thereafter, steroids were measured in the incubation media. Cryptorchid animals showed the lowest number of Leydig cells, the highest Progesterone response to hCG, a slight increment of testosterone and a decrease of estradiol. On the contrary, both left and right testes from varicocele induced rats showed a higher cell number (per g of tissue), lower progesterone response, slightly higher response testosterone and lower testosterone response. These results demonstrate that these conditions of testicular hyperthermia do not affect the number and function of Leydig cells to the same degree. This may be due to differences in the testicular temperature reached with each procedure.