Pituitary-dependent renin-like immunoreactivity in the rat testis.

By means of a specific anti-rat renin antiserum, immunohistochemical staining was observed restricted to Leydig cells of rat testis. Specificity of the staining was ascertained by the absence of reaction with nonimmune serum or with the antiserum preincubated with rat renin. Specific staining of Leydig cells was absent in newborn rats; it developed with the onset of puberty. Staining was suppressed or abolished by hypophysectomy and estrogen treatment and was reduced by gonadotropin stimulation. Vasectomy destroyed the seminiferous epithelium but did not impair renin-like immunoreactivity of the interstitial tissue. It is concluded that Leydig cells contain a pituitary-dependent renin-like substance.