CHARACTERISTIC IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF GLUTATHIONE-PEROXIDASE (GSH-PO) IN RAT TESTICULAR INTERSTITIAL MACROPHAGES

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An immunohisto-cytochemical localization of glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-PO) in rat testicular interstitial macrophages was studied on 1) normal untreated rats 2) 2 weeks after hypophysectomy 3) and with gonadotropin administration for 1 week after hypophysectomy, in order to clarify the role of GSH-PO. In group 1, an immunohisto-cytochemical localization of GSH-PO was observed in cytosol as a characteristic lysosome-like structure. In group 2, immunohistochemically, the number of GSH-PO positive macrophages decreased as compared with that of the group 1. However, in group 3, immunohistochemically, the number of GSH-PO positive macrophages increased as compared with that of group 2. An intracellular lysosome-like GSH-PO also increased as compared with that of the other groups.
These findings suggest that a very close relationship lies between immunocytochemical localization of GSH-PO in the testicular interstitial macrophages and testosterone production in the testicular Leydig cells. The possible role of GSH-PO in the testicular interstitial macrophage is discussed.