An Assessment of Leydig Cell Function after Bilateral or Unilateral Efferent Duct Ligation: Further Evidence for Local Control of Leydig Cell Function*

Abstract

Leydig cell function was examined in adult male rats at 2 and 4 weeks after bilateral or unilateral efferent duct ligation. Bilateral efferent duct ligation resulted in significantly elevated serum LH levels, an increased size of Leydig cells and an enhanced testosterone response to gonadotropin stimulation in vitro despite a marked loss of LH-hCG receptors. After unilateral ligation of the vasa efferentia, the parameters of Leydig cell function in the ligated testes showed identical changes to those seen after bilateral ligation, whereas such changes were minor or absent in the unligated contralateral testes of the same animals. These results demonstrate that the modifications of Leydig cell function after efferent duct ligation are mainly due to local changes within the testes providing further evidence for an intratesticular control of Leydig cell function.