Open AccessRelationship of transcriptional markers to Leydig cell number in the mouse testis
Author(s) -
Diane Rebourcet,
Ana Monteiro,
Lyndsey Cruickshanks,
Nathan Jeffery,
Sarah E. Smith,
Louise Milne,
Peter J. O’Shaughnessy,
Lee B. Smith
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0219524
Subject(s) - leydig cell , sertoli cell , stereology , biology , population , cell , andrology , endocrinology , genetics , spermatogenesis , medicine , hormone , luteinizing hormone , environmental health
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.