SOME ULTRASTRUCTURAL OBSERVATIONS OF LEYDIG AND SERTOLI CELLS IN THE TESTIS OF TILAPIA-RENDALLI FOLLOWING INDUCED TESTICULAR RECRUDESCENCE

Transmission electron microscopical studies performed on the testis of Tilapia rendalli confirmed the presence of Leydig and Sertoli cells. These cells displayed characteristic morphological features and were positively identified in the interstitial tissue and lobules, respectively. Based on cytoplasmic features it appeared that Leydig cells were responsible for male sex steroid synthesis. Although no clear evidence of steroidogenesis was found in the Sertoli cells, they perform a phagocytic function in the seminiferous lobules. Copyright © 1990 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.