A histochemical study of the circumtesticular leydig cells of a teiid lizard, Cnemidophorus tigris

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1970

Abstract

Several oxidative enzymes in the testis of the teiid lizard Cnemidophorus tigris were studied histochemically. The cells of the circumtesticular sheath (Leydig cell tunic) are functionally equivalent to Leydig cells of the interstitium on the basis of similar histochemical reactions for the five enzyme systems studied. Both groups of cells were positive for 3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 17β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, NADH diaphorase, NADPH diaphorase, and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase. These results support the hypothesis that the circumtesticular sheath has endocrine function as indicated by its vascularity and its ability to catalyze histochemical reactions involving steroid biosynthesis. Copyright © 1970 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

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