Influence of mesonephros on foetal and neonatal rabbit gonads I. Sex-steroid release by the testis in vitro

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Abstract
The influence of mesonephros on gonadal sex hormone release was studied. Fetal and neonatal rabbit testes were cultured for 5 days, with and without their mesonephric tissue. The culture media were harvested every day and analyzed by radioimmunoassay for the content of testosterone, progesterone and estradiol. The development of the tissues were evaluated microscopically after culturing. Between day 20 postcoitum and day 1 postpartum the mesonephric tissue lowered the amounts of testosterone in co-cultures with testis. This effect disappears when the mesonephric derived cells develop the capacity to synthesize a meiosis inducing substance (MIS). A relationship between decrease of testosterone and secretion of MIS is discussed. Apparently, the steroid producing cells of the testis, the Leydig cells, originate or are heavily influenced by mesonephros during early testicular organogenesis.