Delayed Onset of Spermatid Elongation on the Pubertal Golden Hamster Testis Depends on a Developmental Deficiency of Leydig Cell-11ß-HSD

Abstract

In the seminiferous epithelium of the pubertal golden hamster, the most advanced germ cells reach step 6/7 of spermatid maturation (which is immediately before commencement of the process of elongation) on the 26th dpp (day post partum). However, this level of spermatid development is not exceeded until beyond the 30th dpp, when for the first time elongating spermatids of steps 8 and onwards appear. This temporary developmental disturbance exclusively affects the pre-elongational round spermatids, while the other types of germ cells, i.e. spermatogonia, spermatocytes and younger spermatids, regularly continue to differentiate. The areas of the seminiferous epithelium concerned therefore show a progressive desynchronization of the local germ-cell associations, which no longer fit into one of the regular stages of the seminiferous epithelium (Clermont, 1954). In addition, many of the affected spermatids are subjected to degeneration.