LEYDIG CELLS AS A MODEL OF MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

During the past decades, a large anount of information concerning the infertility, which can be caused by malfunction at the level of sperm or production of testosterone was published. It is about androgene which is from 95 percent synthetized in testes. It plays significant role in development of individual´s sexual signs and is also the starter of spermatogenesis. The main mechanism ensuring the production of this important hormone is the process determined as a steroidogenesis. This process runs in cells located in testes and are known as Leydig cells (LC). Several types of LC are classified as for example fetal, adult, stem, progenitor or immature cells. There are mutual differences, but their common feature is a production of androgenes. Mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum have irreplaceable position within LC and they, together with relevant enzymes and cascades of reactions, ensure the metamorphosis of cholesterol up to testosterone. With rising age the activity of steroidogenesis declines what is, however, natural. But there are many cases when this process in cells of developing individual is impaired by external or internal factors. Their identification and consequent elimination is for sufficient production of testosterone very important. This review contains on overview of Leydig cell biology and testosterone synthesis.