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Endogenous Testosterone Concentrations in Rat Testis Interstitial Tissue and Seminiferous Tubules during in vitro Incubation

Nature New Biology volume 237, pages 255–256 (1972)Cite this article

Abstract

IT is generally accepted that, in the testis, the interstitial (Leydig) cell is the principal source of the steroid hormone testosterone, and that this steroid plays an important but as yet undefined role in spermatogenesis. It has been suggested1 that the Sertoli cell of the seminiferous tubules may also produce steroid hormones, which may be involved in the control of spermatogenesis. The exact relative roles of the two types of cells in these respects are, however, unknown. Also, the endogenous concentrations of testosterone in either cell type have not been measured, and it has yet to be demonstrated that the Sertoli cell is capable of de novo steroid biosynthesis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Rotterdam

    B. A. COOKE, F. H. DE JONG, H. J. VAN DER MOLEN & F. F. G. ROMMERTS

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  1. B. A. COOKE
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  2. F. H. DE JONG
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  3. H. J. VAN DER MOLEN
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  4. F. F. G. ROMMERTS
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COOKE, B., DE JONG, F., VAN DER MOLEN, H. et al. Endogenous Testosterone Concentrations in Rat Testis Interstitial Tissue and Seminiferous Tubules during in vitro Incubation. Nature New Biology 237, 255–256 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1038/newbio237255a0

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