The neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and subtypes of GABA receptors were recently identified in adult testes. Since adult Leydig cells possess both the GABA biosynthetic enzyme glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), as well as GABA(A) and GABA(B) receptors, it is possible that GABA may act as auto-/paracrine molecule to regulate Leydig cell function. The present study was aimed to examin...

Progenitor Leydig cells are derived from stem cells. The proliferation and differentiation of progenitor Leydig cells significantly contributes to Leydig cell number during puberty. However, the regulation of these processes remains unclear. The objective of the present study was to determine whether luteinizing hormone (LH) or androgen contributes to the proliferation and differentiation of pr...

Development of the testis begins with the expression of the SRY gene in pre-Sertoli cells. Soon after, testis cords containing Sertoli and germ cells are formed and fetal Leydig cells subsequently develop in the interstitial space. Studies using knockout mice have indicated that multiple genes encoding growth factors and transcription factors are implicated in fetal Leydig cell differentiation....

The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis comprises pulsatile GnRH from the hypothalamus impacting on the anterior pituitary to induce expression and release of both LH and FSH into the circulation. These in turn stimulate receptors on testicular Leydig and Sertoli cells, respectively, to promote steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis. Both Leydig and Sertoli cells exhibit negative feedback to...

several scientists held the hope that the "Maltoni" work would clarify questions about MTBE's carcinogenic potential. Despite the enthusiasm of some scientists for Belpoggi's results, the most cursory examination of the paper reveals critical issues that show the data have been grossly overinterpreted. Rather than predicting a health hazard, the data indicate that rats tolerate enormous daily o...

Sertoli Leydig Cell Tumours (SLCTs) are rare, unilateral, sex cord stromal tumours of ovary, which constitute less than 1% of all the ovarian neoplasms. These tumours can be functionally diverse and they may have heterologous elements. We aim to report a case of a 25-year- old woman who presented with suprapubic pain of 5 days duration, a unilateral adnexal mass, hypertestosteronism without vir...

testicular germ-cell tumors are the most common malignancy among men aged 20-40 years, and 60 percent of them are seminomas. these tumors are now an important socio-economic problem, considering their growing incidence. thus we undertook to evaluate the results of curative irradiation in our testicular seminoma patients and compare them to literature results considering the use of cobalt-60 sys...

A 29-year old male and his wife presented with an 18 month history of primary infertility. History and initial investigations suggested no major female pathologic component but a semen analysis revealed azoospermia. There was no history of any sexual dysfunction and neither partner was receiving any medication. Clinical examination revealed normal secondary sexual characteristics. Both testicle...