Albumin localization in the testis of adult golden hamsters by use of immunohistochemistry.

There is an increasing interest in different biochemical roles of albumin (Alb) in respect to testicular function. For this reason, Alb was localized by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique in the testis of adult golden hamsters. A strong Alb immunoreactivity occurred in the interstitial space and on the surface of Leydig cells. A few Sertoli cells showed a strong Alb response under the appearance of so-called leakages traversing Sertoli-Sertoli cell junctions. Spermatogonia reacted strongly, while spermatids and sperms showed rather a mild, or moderate response. Spermatocytes remained unstained. When similar maturation stages of seminiferous tubules were compared, the number of reacting cells varied strikingly. Our results support the assumption that Alb or a protein with an Alb-like immunoreactivity exerts diverse functions of the testis.