Immunohistochemical localization of enkephalins in adult rat testis: evidence for a gonadotrophin control.

The recent detection of immunoreactive POMC derived peptides in the male reproductive tract raised the possibility that these hormones might regulate reproductive function. In addition, a variety of studies suggested that POMC derived peptides have paracrine effects in the testis. In this present study, after HCG addition to the organ culture medium, Sertoli cells cytoplasma became immunoreactive with the enkephalins antisera.