Photoperiodic variation of Leydig cell numbers in the testis of the golden hamster: A possible mechanism for their renewal during recrudescence

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Abstract
Golden hamster testes regress after short day exposure. The present study asks: 1) are Leydig cell numbers depleted during short days, and 2) if so, how are they replenished during recrudescence. Control hamsters were shown 14 h of light and 10 h of dark (LD 14:10) for 10 weeks (n = 12). Testicular regression was induced by LD 6:18 for 10 weeks (n = 4), and recrudescence by switching regressed hamsters to LD 14:10 for 3 and 5 weeks (n = 8 for each group). All hamsters were injected with [3H]thymidine [3 μCi/gm body wt., intraperitoneally (i.p.)] 1 h or 2 weeks before sacrifice. Leydig cell number per testis was determined by stereological analysis of sections of perfusion-fixed testes, and labeling indices were determined by autoradiography. Leydig cell numbers were reduced significantly from 18.2 × 106 in control to 9.0 × 106 in regressed testes (p < 0.05); then increased to 14.0 × 106 and 17.9 × 106 in 3- and 5-week recrudesced hamsters. The labeling index was nondetectable (n.d.) for regressed hamsters. In control and recrudescing hamsters the labeling index was measured at two times (t1 = 1 h vs. t2 = 2 weeks post-injection): in controls, t1 = 0.22 ± 0.15% (mean ± SEM) vs. t2 = 0.28 ± 0.22%; in 1 week recrudesced, n.d. vs. 1.92 ± 0.77% (p < 0.05); at 3 wk, n.d. vs. 4.58 ± 1.74% (p < 0.05); at 5 weeks, 1.92 ± 0.61% vs. 2.25 ± 0.59%. These results are indicative of the existence of interstitial precursor cells that divide, then differentiate, and thus replenish the Leydig cell population during testicular recrudescence.