The fine structure of testicular interstitial cells in the adult golden hamster with special reference to seasonal changes.

The fine structure of the testicular interstitium was studied in normal adult golden hamsters sacrificed in the reproductive season (spring and summer) and in the winter. The Leydig cells in the reproductively active testes contain abundant endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and numerous mitochondria. The ER occurs in the form of flattened cisternae and tubules, the former prevailing. The cisternae are extremely extensive and are partly granular and partly agranular, their ends being continuous with the tubluar reticulum. Mitochondria intervening between the cisternae are closely associated with the agranular portions of the latter. Adjacent to the Golgi complex and continuous with the centrosome a unique filamentous body with a dense laminar core is often observed. In the regressive testes, the Leydig cells show a great reduction of cytoplasmic volume and a remarkable decline of the organelles, especially agranular tubules. The possible functional significance of the tubular and cisternal ER with the associated mitochondria is discussed in relation to the biosynthesis of androgens. Macrophages appear to constitute another important population of the interstitial cell clusters.