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Leydig cell development of pig testis in the early fetal period: an ultrastructural study
Insights
Early fetal pig Leydig cell development was examined ultrastructurally. Leydig cells exhibit distinct ultrastructural changes, including smooth endoplasmic reticulum development and filament accumulation, unaffected by decapitation.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Histology
Background:
- Leydig cell development in the pig testis occurs in three distinct periods.
- The early fetal period, from 27 to 60 days postcoitum (p.c.), is crucial for initial Leydig cell differentiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ultrastructural characteristics of early fetal pig Leydig cells.
- To understand the developmental trajectory of Leydig cells during the critical early fetal period.
Main Methods:
- Ultrastructural examination of pig testicular tissue at 35, 52, and 62 days p.c.
- Inclusion of decapitation experiments at 42 days p.c. to assess hormonal influences.
Main Results:
- At 35 days p.c., Leydig cells show oval nuclei, developing smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER), and limited rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) with some SER-mitochondria coupling.
- By 52 and 62 days p.c., SER structure changes, 10 nm filaments accumulate, and SER-mitochondria coupling diminishes.
- Decapitation did not significantly alter Leydig cell development within the observed period.
Conclusions:
- Early fetal Leydig cell development is characterized by dynamic changes in SER and RER, alongside the emergence of 10 nm filaments.
- The ultrastructure of developing Leydig cells is established independently of the hormonal milieu influenced by decapitation during this specific developmental window.
Abstract:
Leydig cell development in the pig testis occurs in three periods (an early fetal, the perinatal period, and the period from puberty onward). The earliest of these periods was investigated ultrastructurally. The early fetal period starts immediately after gonadal differentiation, approximately 27 days postcoitum (p.c.), and finishes at about 60 days postcoitum. Dates of observation were 35, 52, and 62 days p.c. At 42 days p.c. some animals were decapitated. Leydig cells at 35 days p.c. are characterized by an oval nucleus, vesicular or branched tubular smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER), and a small quantity of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER). The RER has two forms: a short and a long profile. The latter is closely coupled with mitochondria. The mitochondria mostly have tubular cristae. From 52 days p.c. onward the degree of coupling lessens, and it vanishes at 62 days p.c. At 52 and 62 days p.c. a very large amount of 10 nm filaments and a slight decrease in SER can be observed. The SER now has a branched tubular form, and the presence of polygonal dense bodies is also characteristic. Decapitation does not disturb normal development of the Leydig cells in the observation period. No obvious differences from controls can be observed.