Morphofunctional status of interstitial endocrinocytes (Leydig cells) with premature aging caused by dark deprivation

Abstract

It was found that in experimental rats there is a decrease in the number of Leydig cells, the ratio between active and inactive endocrinocytes and, as a consequence, a decrease in the activity index of his cells. The effect of 30-day dark deprivation and 14-day correction with exogenous melatonin on the steroidogenic ability and morphofunctional state of the spermatogenic epithelium of the testes, interstitial endocrinocytes (Leydig cells) of white mongrel male rats aged 4 months was analyzed. The level of corticosterone, testosterone, and Clotho protein in blood serum was assessed by enzyme immunoassay. It was found that 30-day dark deprivation increases the level of corticosterone, reduces the level of testosterone and Clotho protein in the blood serum, which is a marker of premature aging. It was found that morphological changes in the testes were characterized by a decrease in the thickness of the spermatogenic epithelium, the area of Leydig cells and their nuclei for 30 days after dark deprivation. The introduction of exogenous melatonin led to a partial restoration of androgenogenesis, the morphofunctional state of the testes: spermatogenic epithelium, Leydig cells.