Observations on the Testis in Anencephaly with Special Reference to the Leydig Cells

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Abstract
The testes of 16 anencephalic monsters were examined histologically and in 14 cases the number of Leydig cells calculated. In the majority of cases, the testes were hypoplastic but the seminiferous tubules and the tubular epithelium, on the whole, were normal at equivalent stages of development. The mean number of Leydig cells was found to be significantly lower in the anencephalic group than in the controls and this was most marked in premature cases. Further unusual histological appearances were noted in 8 of the 16 anencephalic cases. The significance of these findings was discussed.