The effect of testicular macrophages, macrophage-conditioned medium and interleukin-1 alpha on bank vole Leydig cell steroidogenesis

It has already been accepted that the function and activity of the testis i s regulated not only by gonadotrophins, but also by many locally produced f actors and by cell-cell interactions. That is why the aim of our work was t o determine whether macrophages and/or their products have an influence on Leydig cell steroidogenic activity. The source of Leydig cells and macropha ges were male bank voles of spring and autumn generations, reared in 18 lig ht:6 dark or 6 light:18 dark (18L:6D or 6L: 18D) conditions for 7-8 weeks. The Leydig cells were growing in monocultures or in cocultures with macroph ages (testicular or peritoneal), either as control or hCG-stimulated ones. To some of the cultures 6 IU/ml of interleukin 1 alpha(IL-1 alpha) was adde d. After then the cells were analysed morphologically, histochemically, and radioimmunologically. In the present study we found many differences in mo rphology and steroidogenic activity of Leydig cells obtained from different photoperiods. Leydig cells from a long day formed monolayer contrary to th e cells from a short one growing as single cells or in clusters. Moreover, Leydig cells from a long photoperiod produced more testosterone and were se nsitive to the stimulatory effect of both testicular macrophages and testic ular macrophage-conditioned medium. They were also more sensitive to the in hibitory influence of IL-1 alpha.