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Asian Journal of Andrology (2009) 11: 405-409. doi: 10.1038/aja.2009.22 published online 18 May 2009.
Leydig cell transplantation restores androgen production in surgically castrated prepubertal rats
Jie Sun1, Ye-Bin Xi2, Zhong-De Zhang3, Ping Shen3, Huai-Yuan Li4, Min-Zhi Yin3, Wei-Yi Li2 and Cheng-Ren Shi5
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
Correspondence: Professor Cheng-Ren Shi, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Xin Hua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1665 Kong Jiang Road, Shanghai 200092, China. Fax: +86-21-3501-0514 E-mail:shicr629@163.com
Received 17 December 2008; Revised 9 March 2009; Accepted 13 March 2009; Published online 18 May 2009.
| Abstract |
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.
Keywords: androgens, Leydig cells, male hypogonadism, testis |
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