Differentiation of Leydig Cell Precursors In Vitro: A Role for Androgen

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Abstract
An enriched fraction of mesenchymal-like cells was isolated from the testes of 21 day old rats. Testosterone production (ng/106 cells .cntdot. 24 hours) by these cells when cultured in vitro was measured by radioimmunoassay of HPLC-purified extracts of culture medium. In the presence of LH + DHT there was a significant increase in testosterone secretion from 22 .+-. 10 ng after day 1 of culture to 284 .+-. 75 ng on day 3 (P < 0.01). By contrast, LH or DHT alone were without significant effect. We conclude that LH alone is insufficient but that androgen and LH induce mesenchymal-like Leydig cell precursors from 21 day old rats to produce testosterone.

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