IDENTIFICATION OF IMMUNOREACTIVE GASTRIN-RELEASING PEPTIDE RELATED SUBSTANCES IN ADULT RAT LEYDIG CELLS

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Abstract
Purified adult rat Leydig cells were found to produce gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) by radioimmu=noassay (RIA). Gel chromatography of the extracted material showed a single peak of GRP immunoreactivity. Further high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis resolved the extract into two peaks that closely resembled the C-terminal fragment of GRP, GRP18–27 and GRP14–27. Immunohistochemical studies revealed specific staining for GRP in the Leydig cells of adult rat testis.These results demonstrate, by a number of independent criteria, that rat Leydig cells contain substances which behave like authentic GRP-like peptides. Since the peptides appear to be of local origin, a paracrine function within the rat testis is suggested.
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