Table 1.
Morphometric data on testicular compartments
| Mice | Testis weight, mg | Volume lumen, mm3 | Volume epithelium, mm3 | Volume interstitium, mm3 | Volume Leydig cells, mm3 | Tubule diameter, μm | Tubule length, m |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| w/t, 4 1/2 mth (n = 6) | 137.4 ± 6.8 | 10.2 ± 3.0 | 106.1 ± 7.7 | 16.7 ± 3.8 | ND | 236.1 ± 7.0 | 2.8 ± 0.3 |
| ArKO, 4 1/2 mth (n = 5) | 113.4 ± 37.2 | 8.2 ± 2.8 | 85.1 ± 29.3 | 15.2 ± 7.4 | ND | 229.1 ± 34.9 | 2.4 ± 1.0 |
| w/t, l yr (n = 4) | 134.5 ± 12.9 | 16.9 ± 7.4 | 96.0 ± 10.1 | 15.8 ± 1.4 | 3.78 ± 0.43 | 247.2 ± 11.9 | 2.4 ± 0.3 |
| ArKO, l yr (n = 7) | 101.5 ± 27.3* | 12.4 ± 7.1 | 63.6 ± 19.1* | 21.4 ± 8.2 | 7.50 ± 2.56* | 214.0 ± 31.3 | 2.0 ± 0.8 |
There were no differences in the absolute volumes of the various compartments of the testis in the 4.5-month-old ArKO mice compared to w/t. In 1-year-old ArKO mice the absolute volume of seminiferous epithelium was decreased by 34% (P < 0.05), and the absolute volume of Leydig cells was increased by 50% (P < 0.05). Testicular weight was decreased in the 1-year-old ArKO mice (P < 0.05). Data expressed as mean ± SD. ND = not determined.
*
P < 0.05.