Putative steroidogenic cells associated with the ductuli efferentes of the ground squirel (Citellus lateralis).

During a study on the fine structure of different regions of the reproductive tract of the ground squirrel, Citellus lateralis, cells possessing cytological features associated with steroid production were observed among the ductuli efferentes. Comparison of the morphology of these cells with that of Leydig and adrenocortical cells, demonstrated that they resembled Leydig cells in many anatomical details. Further evidence for the similarity of the cells associated with the ductuli efferentes to Leydig cells emerged during sexual regression, when both types of cells underwent the same regressive changes in organization and morphology. This suggests that the cells present among the ductuli efferentes are active in the synthesis of androgenic hormones, and possibly play a role in the endocrine control of reproduction in this species of ground squirrel.