• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.70-71
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• 2003

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), is a widespread environmental pollutant. In this study, we investigated the effect of DDT on testosterone production through aromatase and investigated its molecular mechanism in testicular leydig cell, R2C. We investigated that the effects of DDT on testosterone production and its effects on aromatase activity in R2C cell by radio immunoassay (RIA). (omitted)

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.325-334
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• 2005

Changes in the rabbit Leydig cell from birth to adulthood were studied in New Zealand white rabbits of 1, 7, 21, 35, 49, 70, 105, 147, 196, and 252 days (n = 8 rabbits per group) of age. The objectives of this study were to understand the fate of the fetal Leydig cells, to determine the changes in serum testosterone levels, and leutenizing hormone-stimulated testosterone production per testis in vitro, and to quantify adult Leydig cells by number and average volume with age. Testes of rabbits were fixed by whole body perfusion using a fixative containing 2.5% glutaraldehyde in cacodylate buffer, processed and embedded in Epon-araldite. Using $1{\mu}m$ sections stained with methylene blue-azure II, qualitative and quantitative (stereological) morphological studies were performed. Testosterone levels in the incubation medium of luteinizing hormone-stimulated (100 ng/ml) testosterone secretion per testis in vitro, and in serum were determined by radioimmunoassay. The average volume of a testis of 1-day-old rabbits was determined as $0.0073cm^3$ and the parameter increased linearly from birth to 252 days ($3.93cm^3$). The volume density of the seminiferous tubules increased with age from 33.76% at day 1 to 88.2% at day 252. The volume density of the interstitium represents 66.24% of the testicular parenchyma at day 1. This proportion progressively diminished during development to reach a value of 11.8% at day 252. The volume density of Leydig cells increased almost linearly from birth (0.001%) to 252 days (2.62%). Leydig cell mass per testis increases from 0.0012 mg to 0.25 mg between days 1 and 35, from 2.66 mg to 44.3 mg between days 49 and 105 and from 65.42 mg and 102.9 mg between days 147 and 252. The absolute numbers of adult Leydig cells per testis increased linearly from birth to 252 days. The average volume of adult Leydig cell on days 1, 7, 21 and 35 was not significantly different; a gradual and continued increase was observed thereafter, reaching a 3-fold increase at 196 and 252 days. Serum testosterone concentrations were not significantly different at day 1 compared days 7, 21, 35. Significant increases were observed at days 49 and 70. Values at days 70 and 105 and days 147, 196, and 252 were not significantly different. LH-stimulated testosterone production per testis in vitro was significantly different at day 1 compared days 7, 21, 35. Significant increases were observed at days 49 and 70. Hormonal values at days 105, 147, 196, and 252 were not significantly different. These data suggested Leydig cell developmental phase can be classified: a neonatal phase (1-7 days), a prepubertal phase (14-49 days) and an adult phase (70-252 days). Immature and mature adult Leydig cells, initially detected at days 7 and 49, respectively, and mature adult Leydig cells were abundant Leydig cell type according to the number and absolute volume per testis form day 49 onwards.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.21-33
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• 1988

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of chlorambucil on the mouse Leydig cell by electron microscopy. Chlorambucil suspended in the 0.5N sodium bicarbonate(pH 8.0) was injected I.P.(intraperitoneal) at a dosage of level 20mg/kg for 1 weeks, 3 weeks and 5 weeks, respectively. The results obtained from this experiment are as follows: 1. One week after the administration of chlorambucil, there was an increase in heterochromatin, swelling and cristae disruption in some mitochondria, mild vacuolation between cells and the occurrence of membrane bound inclusions in some nuclei. 2. After 3 weeks, smooth endoplasmic reticulum dilations, cytoplasmic vacuolation, mitochondrial swelling, inner mitochondrial cristae disruption, membranous whorls, and intranuclear inclusions were observed in the treated cells. 3. After 5 weeks of treatment, most mitochondria were swollen and their membranes were severely disrupted. Further, smooth endoplasmic reticulum dilations and vacuolation of the cytoplasm were apparent in the treated Leydig cells. In addition numerous membranous whorls and intranuclear inclusion bodies were present. The nuclei displayed invaginatons of the nuclear membrane and large clumps of heterochromatin. From these results it is concluded the longer the duration of chlorambucil administration, the greater the degeneration of the nucleus and cytoplasmic organelles.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.111-119
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the antioxidant activity of water extract of Woogyuyeum (WGY) in Leydig cells. Methods : We investigated the cytoprotective effect of WGY in cultured mouse Leydig cells by MTT assay. Leydig cells treated with WGY were incubated in the presence or absence of 50 μM hydrogen peroxide at 37℃ for 24 h. The protective effects of WGY against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress, lipid peroxide (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase activity assays were performed in Leydig cells. Results : As a result, WGY showed no significant cytotoxicity in Leygdig cells. WGY showed cell viability as 103.65% in 5 μg/ml concentrations. The cytotoxicity induced by hydrogen peroxide in Leygdig cells, the antioxidant effects of WGY was increased in 1, 5, 50, 100 ug/ml concentraions. 100 μg/ml concentration of WGY showed maximum antioxidant effects. Treatment of cells with 100 μg/ml WGY significantly reduced the MDA concentration to 0.23 nmoles/mg protein. SOD activity was increased at 1, 100 μg/ml concentration of WGY and catalase activity was significantly increased at 50, 100 μg/ml concentrations of WGY, respectively. Conclusions : In conclusion, WGY has antioxidant activities against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in Leydig cells.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.511-522
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• 1999

The Leydig cell found within the interstitium of the testis is important in the spermatogenesis. The differentiation of Leydig cell, even though relatively well known in animals, is not fully elucidated yet in human. In the present study, human fetal testes ($14\sim27$ weeks) obtained from artificially induced abortions legally without gross malformations were studied using light and transmission electron microscopy to make clear the differentiation process of Leydig cells in humans. Leydig cells could be classified as 4 types: fusiform, light, dark, and degenerating cells. The most immature cell was the fusiform cells found frequently at 14 weeks, which seemed to differentiate successively into light and dark cells. Light cells were most frequently found at 17 weeks and dark cells at 24 weeks. Light cells were found to have mitochondria and smooth endoplasmic reticuli (sER) most prominently than any other cell types. The lumen of sER became to be expanded with age. Some electron-dense inclusions were observed in the mitochondrial matrix of the dark cells. Lipid droplets found more in light cells than dark cells were most prominent at 16 weeks and gradually decreased after 20 weeks. Glycogen particles were rich in dark cells. Degenerating cells were most frequently found at 27 weeks. From the results, it is suggested that Leydig cells in human fetal testes undergo similar differentiation process af in animals.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.143-149
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• 1998

This study was carried out to evaluate the testicular toxicity of 2-bromopropane (2-BP), which recently caused occupational intoxication on the reproductive and hematopoietic system in Koreans, using light microscopy, immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. 10 weeks old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were treated with 0.5 g/㎏/day of 2-BP orally for 8 consecutive weeks. The testes of the rats were vascularly perfused with Karnovsky's solution or immersed in Bouin's solution, embedded in plastic and evaluated with light microscopy. And relative proportions of haploid, diploid, and tetra-ploid states of DNA ploidy in the testicular cell suspensions of the SD rats were examined by flow cytometry. 2-BP induced severe testicular atrophy, depletion and degeneration of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids and mild hyperplasia of Leydig cells without significant morphological changes. The Leydig cell hyperplasia was confirmed by immunohistochemistry using proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The immunopositive cells against PCNA were observed in the nuclei oj some interstitial cells. Relative proportions of haploid states of DNA ploidy decreased in the atrophic testicular cell suspensions comparing with those of the control. In conclusion, 2-BP induced testicular atrophy with Leydig cell hyperplasia as examined by histopathology, immunohistochemistry and DNA flow cytometry.

• Proceedings of the Korea Environmental Mutagen Society Conference
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.167-167
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• 2004

• Proceedings of the Korea Environmental Mutagen Society Conference
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• 2004.05a
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• pp.68-68
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• 2004

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.17-25
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• 2021

Objectives : Baicalein (3,3', 4', 5, 6-pentahydroxyflavone), a type of flavonoid, is a well-known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredient found in Scutellaria baicalensis root. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of baicalein on nitric oxide (NO) production in TM3 mouse Leydig cells stimulated by indomethacin (IN). Methods : TM3 cells were treated with IN (0.5 μM) and baicalein at concentrations of 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 μM for 24 hr, 40 hr, 42 hr, 44 hr, and 64 hr. After treatments, cell viabilities were measured with the modified MTT assay. The production of nitric oxide in cells was measured by Griess reagent assay. Results : Baicalein showed no cytotoxicity on IN-stimulated TM3. NO production in IN-stimulated TM3 treated for 24 hr with baicalein at concentrations of 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 μM was 95.8%, 94.86%, 89.97%, and 81.52% of the control group treated with IN only, respectively; NO production for 40 hr was 97.34%, 97.34%, 95.15%, and 87.42%, respectively; NO production for 42 hr was 89.12%, 90.14%, 89.74%, and 90.26%, respectively; NO production for 44 hr was 83.83%, 84.94%, 85.65%, and 86.85%, respectively; NO production for 64 hr was 94.12%, 95.38%, 94.21%, and 94.12%, respectively. Specifically, baicalein at concentrations of 12.5, 25, and 50 have been shown to most efficiently inhibit NO productions in 48 hr of treatment. Conclusions : Baicalein might have anti-toxicant effect on Leydig cells related with its inhibition of NO production in Leydig cells stimulated with IN.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.181-188
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• 2006

Changes in the fine structure of testicular Leydig cell from hatching to adulthood were studied in Korean native chickens of 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 24, 28, 32, 44, 52 and 64 weeks (n=13 chickens per group) of age. The objective of this study were to elucidate Leydig cell ultrastructure during testicular development. Testes of chickens were fixed by whole body perfusion using a fixative containing 2.5% glutaraldehyde in cacodylate buffer, processed and embedded in Epon-araldite. Using $1{\mu}m$ sections stained with methylene blue-azure II, qualitative and quantitative(stereological) morphological studies were performed. The ultrastructural changes of the Leydig cell were investigated by ultrathin section with the transmission electron microscope. The stages of the Leydig cell development described focus on mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and lipid droplets which are involved in androgens as fullows. 1) Approaching puberty. The closely packed Leydig cells and sparse intercellular space. The nucleus occupied a large portion of the Leydig cell volume. The population of Leydig cells contained two types of cells that differed in the appearance of their nuclei which were either highly electron-opaque or relatively electron-lucid. The cytoplasm was characterized by large amounts of lipid droplets, relatively few spherical mitochondria, and sparse smooth endoplasmic reticulum. 2) Puberty to adult. The Leydig cells which display features compatible with significant androgen synthesis: large volume of cytoplasm containing extended smooth endoplasmic reticulum, abundant mitochondria, and reduction of lipid droplets.