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Seasonal Changes in the Newt, Trituroides hongkongensis , Testis. I. A Histological and Histochemical Study
Author(s) -
Tso E. C.F.,
Lofts B.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
acta zoologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.414
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 1463-6395
pISSN - 0001-7272
DOI - 10.1111/j.1463-6395.1977.tb00230.x
Subject(s) - biology , histology , sertoli cell , secretion , endocrinology , medicine , follicle , hormone , anatomy , spermatogenesis , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics
The testis of the newt, Trituroides hongkongensis is found to be made up of a chain of lobes each being divided into spermatogenetic zones which display seasonal cycles. Seasonal changes in the histology of the testis are studied. Lobule boundary cells are found present at the same time of the year when the secondary sex character, a lateral blue line along the tail, is best expressed. Both 5‐ene‐3β‐ and 17β‐HSD activities have been located in the lobule boundary cells which are suggested to be steroidogenic and their secretion may probably be responsible for the maintenance of the secondary sex character. The Sertoli cell, which originates from the follicle cell, shows accumulation of cholesterol‐positive lipid at certain stages of development but its capability in hormone production is uncertain.