Fine structural changes in Sertoli and Leydig cells during the reproductive cycle of the ground squirrel, Citellus lateralis.

During spermatogenesis in sexually mature ground squirrels Leydig and Sertoli cells were morphologically well differentiated. For Leydig cells the most prominent organelles were lipid droplets, mitochondria with tubulo-vesicular cristae and abundant agranular reticulum organized as a mass of anastomosing tubules. These morphological criteria suggest that the Leydig cells were steroidogenically active. Sertoli cells exhibited a topographical distribution of certain organelles with basal regions containing stacks of granular reticulum, and large areas of agranular reticulum. The cytoplasm surrounding maturing germ cells contained numerous microtubules, and an adluminal layer of spermatids at a certain stage of spermiogenesis became enveloped by Sertoli cytoplasm containing an enormous proliferation of agranular reticulum. The presence of these organelles in Sertoli cells suggests that during spermatogenesis they are active in the synthesis of proteins and steroids. In particular the mass of agranular reticulum surrounding late stage spermatids indicates that steroids may be required for spermatid maturation and/or spermiation. By contrast Leydig and Sertoli cells observed during testicular regression, when only spermatogonia remain in the seminiferous tubules, had undergone structural changes. Leydig cells were still numerous and large with abundant agranular reticulum that was now organized as a loose assemblage of single unbranched tubules. Sertoli cells were drastically reduced in both cytoplasmic volume and content of organelles.