ISSN:
0003-276X
Keywords:
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
During the annual breeding season, the testes of the lizard Cnemidophorus gularis are yellow-orange, ovoid organs measuring almost 1 cm in greatest diameter. The pigment is confined to the testicular tunic, which contains a zone of Leydig cells and vascular channels more than 50 m̈ thick. Leydig cells constitute approximately 60% of the zone, with remaining space occupied by capillaries, sinusoids, and lymphatic vessels. Lymphatics are concentrated at the interface between tunic and seminiferous tubules. Interstitial space is poorly developed among the tubules, accounting for less than 3% of tissue volume. Capillaries, lymphatics, and a few widely scattered Leydig cells occur in the sparse interstitial space. Leydig cells in the tunic and elsewhere in the testis show ultrastructural features commonly found in mammalian Leydig cells. Separation of the tunic from the seminiferous tubules is achieved in a few seconds by manual decapsulation of the testis and yields an enriched preparation of Leydig cells that is essentially uncontaminated by tubular elements.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ar.1091860406
