Leydig cell - wikipedia Leydig cell Leydig cell Micrograph showing a cluster of Leydig cells ( center of image ). H&E stain. Histological section through testicular parenchyma of a boar. 1 Lumen of convoluted part of the seminiferous tubules, 2 spermatids, 3 spermatocytes, 4 spermatogonia, 5 Sertoli cell, 6 myofibroblasts, 7 Leydig cells, 8 capillaries Identifiers Anatomical terminology ( edit on Wikidata ) Leydig cells, also known as interstitial cells of Leydig, are found adjacent to the seminiferous tubules in the testicle. They produce testosterone in the presence of luteinizing hormone ( LH ). Leydig cells are polyhedral in shape, display a large prominent nucleus, an eosinophilic cytoplasm and numerous lipid - filled vesicles. Contents 1 Structure 1.1 Development 2 Function 3 Clinical significance 4 History 4.1 Etymology 5 Additional images 6 See also 7 References 8 External links Structure The mammalian Leydig cell is a polyhedral epithelioid cell with a single eccentrically located ovoid nucleus. The nucleus contains one to three prominent nucleoli and large amounts of dark - staining peripheral heterochromatin. The acidophilic cytoplasm usually contains numerous membrane - bound lipid droplets and large amounts of smooth endoplasmic reticulum ( SER ). Besides the obvious abundance of SER with scattered patches of rough endoplasmic reticulum, several mitochondria are also prominent within the cytoplasm. Frequently, lipofuscin pigment and rod - shaped crystal - like structures 3 to 20 micrometres in diameter ( Reinke crystals ) are found. These inclusions have no known function, are found in less than half of all Leydig cell tumors, but serve to clinch the diagnosis of a Leydig cell tumor. No other interstitial cell within the testes has a nucleus or cytoplasm with these characteristics, making identification relatively easy. Development ' Adult ' - type Leydig cells differentiate in the post-natal testis and are quiescent until puberty. They are preceded in the testis by a population of ' fetal ' - type Leydig cells from the 8th to the 20th week of gestation, which produce enough testosterone for masculinisation of a male fetus. Function Leydig cells release a class of hormones called androgens ( 19 - carbon steroids ). They secrete testosterone, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone ( DHEA ), when stimulated by the pituitary hormone luteinizing hormone ( LH ). LH increases cholesterol desmolase activity ( an enzyme associated with the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone ), leading to testosterone synthesis and secretion by Leydig cells. Prolactin ( PRL ) increases the response of Leydig cells to LH by increasing the number of LH receptors expressed on Leydig cells. Clinical significance Micrograph of a Leydig cell tumour. H&E stain. Leydig cells may grow uncontrollably and form a Leydig cell tumour. These tumours are usually benign. They may be hormonally active, i.e. secrete testosterone. Adrenomyeloneuropathy is another example of a disease affecting the Leydig cell : the patient 's testosterone may fall despite higher - than - normal levels of LH and follicle - stimulating hormone ( FSH ). Lateral electrical surface stimulation therapy has been found to destroy Leydig cells. History Etymology Leydig cells are named after the German anatomist Franz Leydig, who discovered them in 1850. Additional images Section of a genital cord of the testis of a human embryo 3.5 cm. long. Intermediate magnification micrograph of a Leydig cell tumour. H&E stain. High magnification micrograph of a Leydig cell tumour. H&E stain. Cross-section of seminiferous tubules. Arrows indicate location of Leydig cells. See also Sertoli cell Sertoli - Leydig cell tumour List of human cell types derived from the germ layers References Jump up ^ Al - Agha O, Axiotis C ( 2007 ). `` An in - depth look at Leydig cell tumor of the testis ''. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 131 ( 2 ) : 311 -- 7. doi : 10.1043 / 1543 - 2165 ( 2007 ) 131 ( 311 : AILALC ) 2.0.CO ; 2. PMID 17284120. Jump up ^ Ramnani, Dharam M ( 2010 - 06 - 11 ). `` Leydig Cell Tumor : Reinke 's Crystalloids ''. Retrieved 2011 - 11 - 06. Jump up ^ Svechnikov K, Landreh L, Weisser J, Izzo G, Colón E, Svechnikova I, Söder O ( 2010 ). `` Origin, development and regulation of human Leydig cells ''. Horm Res Paediatr. 73 ( 2 ) : 93 -- 101. doi : 10.1159 / 000277141. PMID 20190545. Jump up ^ Bomba G, Kowalski IM, Szarek J, Zarzycki D, Pawlicki R ( 2001 ). `` The effect of spinal electrostimulation on the testicular structure in rabbit ''. Med Sci Monit. 7 ( 3 ) : 363 -- 8. PMID 11386010. Jump up ^ synd / 625 at Who Named It ? External links Histology image : 16907loa -- Histology Learning System at Boston University Reproductive Physiology Diagram at umassmed.edu Male reproductive system Internal Seminal tract Testes layers Tunica vaginalis Tunica albuginea Tunica vasculosa Appendix Mediastinum Lobules Septa Leydig cell Sertoli cell Blood -- testis barrier Spermatogenesis Spermatogonium Spermatocytogenesis Spermatocyte Spermatidogenesis Spermatid Spermiogenesis Spermatozoon Other Seminiferous tubules Tubuli seminiferi recti Rete testis Efferent ducts Epididymis Appendix Stereocilia Paradidymis Spermatic cord Vas deferens Ampulla Ejaculatory duct Accessory glands Seminal vesicles excretory duct Prostate Urethral crest Seminal colliculus Prostatic utricle Ejaculatory duct Prostatic sinus Prostatic ducts Bulbourethral glands External Penis root Crus Bulb Fundiform ligament Suspensory ligament body Corpus cavernosum Corpus spongiosum glans Foreskin Frenulum Corona fascia superficial deep Tunica albuginea Septum of the penis Urinary tract Internal urethral orifice Urethra Prostatic Intermediate Spongy Navicular fossa External urethral orifice Lacunae of Morgagni Urethral gland Scrotum layers skin Dartos External spermatic fascia Cremaster Cremasteric fascia Internal spermatic fascia Perineal raphe Scrotal septum Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Leydig_cell&oldid=835142394 '' Categories : Steroid hormone secreting cells Animal reproductive system Human cells Scrotum Hidden categories : Pages with unresolved properties Articles which use infobox templates with no data rows Talk Contents About Wikipedia Català Čeština Deutsch Español Français Gaeilge Galego Bahasa Indonesia Italiano עברית Latina Magyar Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Polski Português Română Русский Slovenčina Slovenščina Suomi Svenska Українська 16 more Edit links This page was last edited on 6 April 2018, at 20 : 31. 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Question: what is the function of the leydig cells
Answer: produce testosterone in the presence of luteinizing hormone