Differentiation of Peritubular Myoid Cells of the Testis: Effects of Intratesticular Implantation of Newborn Mouse Testes into Normal and Hypophysectomized Adults

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Abstract
Newborn mouse testes were implanted intratesticularly into normal, hypophysectomized, and testosterone-treated hypophysectomized adult mice in order to study the role of hormones in the postnatal differentiation of the peritubular myoid cell. The implanted testes were recovered at varying periods of time and the fine structure of the myoid cells was compared with that observed in intact littermates. Differentiation of the peritubular tissue in testes implanted into normal hosts paralleled that of the intact animal. The peritubular tissue of implants in hypophysectomized hosts retained the morphological features observed in the newborn indicating that maturation of the peritubular myoid cells is dependent on normal pituitary function. Implants in hypophysectomized hosts treated with testosterone exhibited some of the changes observed during normal myoid cell development. A correlation was noted between growth of the seminiferous cords and differentiation of the peritubular cells. It is suggested that in addition to pituitary hormones, the seminiferous epithelium also influences differentiation of the peritubular connective tissue. The possible involvement of Sertoli cells in myoid cell differentiation is discussed. The relationship between fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells is considered.

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