Enzymhistochemical and Morphometrical Studies on Δ5-3ß-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase during the Fetal and Neonatal Development of Rat Leydig Cells

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Abstract
The course of development of rat Leydig cells from 17 fetal day (f.d.) up to 5 postnatal day (p.n.d) was studied with enzymhistochemical reaction of .DELTA.5-3.beta. hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase (3.beta.-HSDH). Tests were obtained from 17-21 day old embryos and from 1-5 day old offsprings. Cryostat sections were cut and processed for enzymhistochemical reaction of 3.beta.-HSDH, employing dehydroepiandrosterone as substrate. The areas of the Leydig cells, showing the enzymatic activity, were measured morphometrically. The 3.beta.-HSDH positive intertubular Leydig cells appear on 17 f.d. and grow further showing a maximum peak, relative to the size of the testis, on 19 f.d. The percentage of the Leydig cells relative to the size of the testis decreases continuously up to 4 p.n.d. The Leydig cells did not regress during the period of observation. Postnatally, the large complexes disperse into many small complexes.