Relationship of transcriptional markers to Leydig cell number in the mouse testis

PLoS One. 2019 Jul 10;14(7):e0219524. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219524. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Objectives: The current study aims to identify markers that would reflect the number of Leydig cells present in the testis, to help determine whether labour-intensive methods such as stereology are necessary. We used our well-characterised Sertoli cell ablation model in which we have empirically established the size of the Leydig cell population, to try to identify transcriptional biomarkers indicative of population size.

Results: Following characterisation of the Leydig cell population after Sertoli cell ablation in neonatal life or adulthood, we identified Hsd3b1 transcript levels as a potential indicator of Leydig cell number with utility for informing decision-making on whether to engage in time-consuming stereological cell counting analysis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Cell Count / methods
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Leydig Cells*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Multienzyme Complexes / genetics*
  • Multienzyme Complexes / metabolism
  • Progesterone Reductase / genetics*
  • Progesterone Reductase / metabolism
  • Steroid Isomerases / genetics*
  • Steroid Isomerases / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Multienzyme Complexes
  • Hsd3b1 protein, mouse
  • Progesterone Reductase
  • Steroid Isomerases