Abstract
Several updated reviews on the Leydig cell structure (Russell 1996; Pudney 1996) and structural aspects related to Leydig cell development and functional activities have already been published (Chemes 1996; Pelliniemi et al. 1996; Ge et al. 1996; Haider 2004; Haider et al. 2007; Prince 2007). Here we will address only certain structural features that are characteristic for human and rodent Leydig cells. The Leydig cells represent a heterogeneous cell population. There are significant differences in the organization, number, shape and other cellular properties of the Leydig cells between species (Pudney 1996; Russel 1996; Prince 2007). In addition to the species-related differences, peculiarities based on developmental, metabolic, functional and seasonal influences have to be considered (Callard 1996; Haider et al. 2007).
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Davidoff, M.S., Middendorff, R., Müller, D., Holstein, A.F. (2009). Morphology of the Leydig Cells. In: The Neuroendocrine Leydig Cells and their Stem Cell Progenitors, the Pericytes. Advances in Anatomy, Embryology and Cell Biology, vol 205. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-00513-8_3
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