Leydig cell transplantation restores androgen production in surgically castrated prepubertal rats  

作　　者：Jie Sun Ye-Bin Xi Zhong-De Zhang Ping Shen Huai-Yuan Li Min-Zhi Yin Wei-Yi Li Cheng-Ren Shi 

机构地区：[1]Department of Urology, Shanghai Children＇s Medical Center, Shanghai 200127, China [2]Department of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China [3]Department of Pathology, Shanghai Children＇s Medical Center, Shanghai 200127, China [4]Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Children＇s Medical Center, Shanghai 200127, China [5]Department of Pediatric Surgery, Xin Hua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200092, China

出　　处：《Asian Journal of Andrology》2009年第4期405-410,共6页亚洲男性学杂志（英文版）

基　　金：Acknowledgment We are grateful to the National Natural Science Foundation of China for financial support （Grant No. 30700878）.Acknowledgments The Advisory and Editorial Boards of the Asian Journal of Andrology （AJA） wish to thank the following scientists for their unique contribution to AJA in reviewing the papers （including papers published and rejected） of this issue：

摘　　要：Prepubertal testicular dysfunction and the subsequent development of hypogonadism affects an estimated one in 200 children worldwide. As the testosterone levels are dynamic during development and puberty, traditional hormone treatment regimens are often inadequate, thereby leaving associated physiological conditions unresolved. Therefore, we have investigated the potential therapeutic effect of mature Leydig cell transplantation for the treatment of prepubertal primary hypogonadism through the use of a surgically induced hypogonadistic rat model system. In the experiment, Leydig cells were surgically isolated from mature Sprague-Dawley rats and transplanted into prepubertal recipients. Serum testosterone levels and microscopic analysis of the stained testicular interstitium were compared with sham-treated controls, as well as with castrated and intact rats during sexual development. At 4 weeks post-implantation, serum testosterone was detectable in Leydig cell recipients, but not in surgical controls, and progressively increased as a function of time until reaching levels comparable with sexually mature males at 12 weeks post-implantation. Histological analysis revealed a high rate of Leydig cell survival as well as steroidogenic secretory activity. Therefore, we conclude that mature Leydig cell transplantation in prepubertal hypogonadism recipients has therapeutic potential in rats and merits further investigation for clinical application.Prepubertal testicular dysfunction and the subsequent development of hypogonadism affects an estimated one in 200 children worldwide. As the testosterone levels are dynamic during development and puberty, traditional hormone treatment regimens are often inadequate, thereby leaving associated physiological conditions unresolved. Therefore, we have investigated the potential therapeutic effect of mature Leydig cell transplantation for the treatment of prepubertal primary hypogonadism through the use of a surgically induced hypogonadistic rat model system. In the experiment, Leydig cells were surgically isolated from mature Sprague-Dawley rats and transplanted into prepubertal recipients. Serum testosterone levels and microscopic analysis of the stained testicular interstitium were compared with sham-treated controls, as well as with castrated and intact rats during sexual development. At 4 weeks post-implantation, serum testosterone was detectable in Leydig cell recipients, but not in surgical controls, and progressively increased as a function of time until reaching levels comparable with sexually mature males at 12 weeks post-implantation. Histological analysis revealed a high rate of Leydig cell survival as well as steroidogenic secretory activity. Therefore, we conclude that mature Leydig cell transplantation in prepubertal hypogonadism recipients has therapeutic potential in rats and merits further investigation for clinical application.

关 键 词：ANDROGENS Leydig cells male hypogonadism TESTIS 

分 类 号：Q492.4[生物学—生理学] S857.129[农业科学—临床兽医学]