Morphometry of fetal Leydig cells in the monkey (Macaca fascicularis), correlation with plasma testosterone

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Abstract
The evolution of Leydig cells in M. fascicularis fetuses was followed throughout gestation (50-150 d [day]) by morphometric procedures (volume densities of: cells, SER [smooth endoplasmic reticulum], mitochondria and lipid droplets). Testosterone from umbilical artery plasma was radioimmunoassayed starting on day 57. After predifferentiation and differentiation phases, Leydig cells entered the maturity phase (57-66 d), they occupied 19% of testicular volume, SER and lipid droplets represented 19% and 5%, respectively, of cytoplasmic volume. Then Leydig cells regressed dramatically (involution phase I: 66-83 d), their volume density decreased to 8%, that of SER to 12% whereas lipids doubled. Leydig cell volume density diminished to 5% during the 2nd half of gestation (involution phase II), but their ultrastructure was not significantly altered. High plasma testosterone level (2.4 ng/ml) was observed during the maturity phase of Leydig cells, decline of testosterone occurred during involution phases I and II (1.13 and 0.58 ng/ml, respectively). From day 57 to the end of fetal development, the evolution of the plasma testosterone level correlated with the Leydig cell volume density and the SER volume density.

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