Localization of aromatase in equine Leydig cells

Stallion testes secrete large amounts of estrogens, but the cellular location of the enzyme that converts androgens to estrogens, cytochrome P450 aromatase, has not been determined. The goal of the present study was to immunocytochemically localize stallion testicular aromatase using a polyclonal antibody generated against human placental cytochrome P450 aromatase. Testes were obtained from 12 stallions from 2 to 23 years of age, during both the breeding and non-breeding seasons. Immunoreactivity was confined to the Leydig cells in all testes examined. No immunostaining was observed in the Sertoli or germ cells. Heterogeneity in the level of immunostaining among individual Leydig cells was observed. The results of this study indicate that in postpubertal, adult, and aged stallions, testicular aromatase is located in Leydig cells.