Puberal Maturation of the Normal Human Testis. A Histologic Study

Balze, F. A. De La; Mancini, Roberto A.; Arrillaga, F; Andrada, J A; Vilar, O.; Gurtman, Angel I.; Davidson, O. W.

doi:10.1210/jcem-20-2-266

Cited by 33 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…The consensus of the histologic literature on human testicular development is that Leydig cells, either mature or partially developed, do not exist during the prepubertal period. In the late prepubertal period, an in- creasing heterogeneity in cellularity has been described, prompting classification schemes for different "types" of fibroblasts (e.g., Tillinger et al, 1955;de la Balze et al, 1960;Vilar, 1970). The majority of these studies report that Leydig cells begin development at approximately 11 to 14 years of age (Sniffen, 1950;Charney et al, 1952;Mancini et al, 1952;de la Balze et al, 1960;Vilar, 1970).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the late prepubertal period, an in- creasing heterogeneity in cellularity has been described, prompting classification schemes for different "types" of fibroblasts (e.g., Tillinger et al, 1955;de la Balze et al, 1960;Vilar, 1970). The majority of these studies report that Leydig cells begin development at approximately 11 to 14 years of age (Sniffen, 1950;Charney et al, 1952;Mancini et al, 1952;de la Balze et al, 1960;Vilar, 1970). The earliest evidence of the "reappearance" of small Leydig cells has been at approximately eight years of age (Hayashi and Harrison, 1971).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Histologic studies of human material, however, have not reported the presence of either mature or partially differentiated Leydig cells during the period from the first year of life until puberty. These studies generally support fetal Leydig cell degeneration (Sniffen, 1950;Charney et al, 1952;de la Balze et al 1960;Pelliniemi and Niemi, 1969;Vilar, 1970;Hayashi and Harrison, 1971). The evidence, however, is not always convincing and some authors have suggested regression is present to some degree (Ottowicz, 1963;Mietkiewski, 1966).…”

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Ultrastructure of immature leydig cells in the human prepubertal testis

Prince

1984

Anat. Rec.

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The cellularity of the human prepubertal testicular interstitium has not been well studied at the ultrastructural level. In this study, testicular biopsies were obtained from 35 boys aged three to nine years and examined by electron microscopy to clarify and quantitate the cell types present during the prepubertal period. The prepubertal testicular interstitium is found to consist of immature Leydig cells (9%), primitive fibroblastic cells (63%) (intertubular in location), and attenuated peritubular fibroblasts (28%). The primitive fibroblastic cells and peritubular fibroblasts appear closely related, being distinguished mainly by shape and location. The immature Leydig cell type contrasts with the fibroblastic cell types by exhibiting an irregular nucleus with relatively little heterochromatin. The most impressive cytoplasmic feature is the moderate to extensive development of smooth endoplasmic reticulum in the form of anastamosing tubules. In contrast, the rough endoplasmic reticulum is not well developed. Other cytoplasmic characteristics are the highly developed Golgi elements and occasional lipid droplets and lysosomes. Glycogen is also often present and is generally found in those cells that do not contain a well-developed smooth endoplasmic reticulum. The ultrastructure of the immature Leydig cell is compared with that of the mature fetal and adult Leydig cells. Although generally found in small clusters between tubules, these cells are often attenuated and closely associated with the seminiferous tubules. Occasional intermediate cell morphologies suggest a relationship between the primitive fibroblasts and immature Leydig cells. The presence of small cells exhibiting a steroid-producing morphology, classified as immature Leydig cells, in the prepubertal testicular interstitium is an interesting finding and is in accordance with earlier studies on nonhuman mammals. It is unknown whether these cells are remnants of the fetal Leydig cell population or have differentiated neonatally from the primitive fibroblastic cells. It is suggested that the immature Leydig cells are the progenitors of the adult Leydig cell population.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ultrastructure of immature leydig cells in the human prepubertal testis

Prince

1984

Anat. Rec.

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“…With regard to this, it must be stressed that a histologic study of testes in adoles cence is difficult to interpret owing to the lack of detailed data regarding normal variability in spermatogenesis in the later stages of puberty [50,51]. In particular, the nor mal variability in spermatogenesis during puberty may account for the decrease in spermatogenesis observed in our less severely affected biopsies.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 90%

Correlation of Testicular Volume, Histology and LHRH Test in Adolescents with Idiopathic Varicocele

Aragona¹,

Ragazzi²,

Gb³

et al. 1994

Eur Urol

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“…At approximately 9 years of age, the 3rd and definitive wave of spermatogenesis begins [46][47][48], Increased pulsatile secretion of hypothalamic GnRH, followed by an increased pituitary response, precede clinical onset of puberty. At 10 years of age, the testicular volume is 1.5 mL (3 times that of the 1st year of life) [49].…”

Section: A Tu Ra Tio N Periodmentioning

confidence: 99%