Observations on the mammalian tests

Baillie, A. H (1964) Observations on the mammalian tests. DSc thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

This thesis deals with some aspects of the histology, histochemistry, and ultrastructure of the mammalian testis during development and under experimental conditions. In the interstitium of the foetal sheep testis three types of Leydig cells are discernible. The commonest contains PAS positive granules, probably glycoprotein, and Sudanophilic lipids. Schiff positive lipids are absent from these cells. Two rarer, atypical forms of interstitial cell exist. The first has groups of eosinophil granules in its cytoplasm; and second is shrunken and possesses a pycnotio nucleus. The fate of the cells containing eosinophil granules is not clear, and the cells possessing pycnotic nuclei are clearly in the process of degeneration. The Leydig cell of the growing mouse, in common with those of other homiothermal vertebrates contains glycoprotein. In contrast to the Leydig cell of poikilotherms it has no glycogen. The mouse Leydig cell has Sudanophilic lipids. Lipids stainable with 2-4 dinitrophenyl hydrazine and Schiff's reagent are absent from the neonatal Leydig cell, present in large quantities in the prepubertal Leydig cell, and present in reduced amounts in the adult cell. Cytomorphosis of the Leydig cell from its mesenchymal precursor includes the acquisition of Sudanophilic lipids, and mitochondria. Graphic representation of the growth rates of the Leydig tissue in seminal vesicles shows that both tissues grow at a similar rate, and that the growth of the Leydig tissue antedates the growth of the seminal vesicles. Mitotic figures have been demonstrated in typical Leydig cells. The actual volume of the Leydig tissue during the prepubertal phase increases at a compound rate of about fifteen per cent per day. The Leydig mitotic rate is 63% per day. The increment in Leydig tissue volume is thus due to cell division, plus recruitment from mesenchyma. Leydig cells in the adult testis do not appear to undergo mitosis in normal circumstances. From those facts it is plain that the concept of separate foetal and pubertal generations of Leydig cells is based on inadequate histological methods for demonstrating' the relatively slowly growing Leydig tissue in a rapidly expanding prepubertal testis. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.).

• Item Type: Thesis (DSc)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Additional Information: Adviser: G M Wyburn
• Keywords: Developmental biology, Histology
• Date of Award: 1964
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1964-73058
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 14 Jun 2019 08:56
• Last Modified: 14 Jun 2019 08:56
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/73058