Effect of Genotype on Formation of Hormonal Function of Leydig Cells during Mouse Postnatal Development

Changes in in vitro testosterone production by Leydig cells induced by chorionic gonadotropin, dibutyryl-cAMP, and pregnenolone have been studied during postnatal development of four inbred mouse strains BALB/c, PT, CBA/Lac, and A/He, with contrast hormonal activity of testes in sexually mature males. The interlinear differences significantly change with age of the males by all studied indices indicating genotype-dependent formation of hormonal activity of Leydig cells during postnatal development. Coordinated interlinear variability between all indices of Leydig cells reactivity has been established for each studied period of postnatal development. Hence, we have established coordinated interlinear genetic variability of hormonal function of Leydig cells, which was confirmed by considerable changes in it during postnatal development at puberty. Definitive genotypic differences in hormonal activity of Leydig cells appeared by late pubertal and early postpubertal development (day 60) and coincided with termination of morphological differentiation of Leydig cells and appearance of the differentiated cell population.