Leydig cells in testis. Transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of a section through tissue from a human testis, showing the interstitial or intertubul

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Leydig cells in testis. Transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of a section through tissue from a human testis, showing the interstitial or intertubular region. Several Leydig cells are present, two of which have large nuclei (round, lower left and centre right). A characteristic feature of human Leydig cells is the presence of large needle-like crystalloids named crystals of Reinke. Their function is unknown. Leydig cells are involved in steroid synthesis and secretion of testosterone which is essential for spermatogenesis and for maintenance of androgen-dependent tissues and organs. Magnification: x4000 when printed at 10 centimetres tall.

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Size: 3602px × 4852px
Photo credit: © MICROSCAPE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: -, anatomical, anatomy, androgen, andrology, biological, biology, black--white, body, cell, cells, cellular, crystals, electron, epithelium, healthy, histological, histology, human, interstitial, intertubular, leydig, male, micrograph, microscope, monochrome, normal, region, reinke, reproduction, reproductive, seminiferous, space, system, tem, testicle, testis, testosterone, tissue, transmission, tubule