Seasonal and experimental reactivation of Leydig cells of the bat Tadarida brasiliensis

ABSTRACT

The Leydig cells of the bat Tadarida brasiliensis, exhibit two well-defined periods of secretory activity that are intimately associated to the bat reproductive cycle. During the breeding season (August-September, late Winter and early Spring in the southern hemisphere), the interstitial tissue contains hypertrophic Leydig cells characterized ultrastructurally by the presence of pleomorphic mitochondria, depletion of lipid droplets, proliferation of membranes of agranular endoplasmic reticulum (AER) and enlargement of the Golgi complexes. By contrast, from Spring to Fall concurrent with regression of seminiferous tubules, the Leydig cells acquire a quiescent appearance with reduction in size and volume of AER membranes, atrophy of the Golgi complex and a massive storage of lipid droplets. The changes occurring in Leydig cells during the breeding season can be duplicated experimentally in non-breeding bats with exogenous stimulation with hCG. The gonadotropic treatment induces rapid changes in both interstitial cells and seminiferous tubules. The latter present evident signs of reactivation including proliferation of the spermatogenic cell line, permeation of the tubular lumen and depletion of lipid droplets. The Leydig cells display similar features to those found in the bat during the mating season at the peak of secretory activity. The bat T. brasiliensis is an excellent model to correlate the morphological organization of the Leydig cells with either seasonal fluctuations of its secretory activity or after experimental stimulation with gonadotropins.