ULTRASTRUCTURAL-STUDY OF LEYDIG AND SERTOLI CELLS DURING SEASONAL SEXUAL CYCLE OF MARTEN (MARTES-FOINA ERX)

In the stone marten (Martes foina) the seasonal sexual cycle is accompanied by changes in plasma testosterone levels. These increase approximately 10- to 20-fold during the reproductively active period. The Leydig cells increase in size during the breeding season and contain lipid droplets, a well-developed Golgi body, and increased quantities of smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Outside the breeding season, these cells have few cytoplasmic inclusions and smooth reticulum disappears. Similar, though less pronounced, changes were noted in the Sertoli cells. © 1978.