The effects of human chorionic gonadotropins (hCG) on the rat testicular interstitial cells (Leydig cells) were investigated by stereologic and radio-immunological methods. Short-term (2 h's) hCG-administration induced only lipid depletion in the Leydig cells. Chronic hCG-treatment provoked a significant cell hypertrophy, which was mainly due to smooth endoplasmic reticulum proliferation; the surface area of mitochondrial cristae, and the volume of the lipid and peroxisome compartments were also significantly increased. These morphologic findings are discussed in the light of radioimmunological data, showing that chronic hCG-administration increased the steroidogenic capacity (testosterone output) of the Leydig cells.
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Nussdorfer et al. (1980) studied this question.
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