Cytochemical localisation of the NADPH diaphorase activity in the Leydig cells of the mouse.

The distribution of the NADPH diaphorase activity was studied in mouse Leydig cells by means of light and electron microscopy. When observed by the light microscope, most Leydig cells appeared intensely stained; a few cells (about 10%) showed a slightly positive or apparently negative reaction. The inhibitory effects of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine and iodonium diphenyl on frozen sections suggest the colocalisation of NADPH diaphorase reaction with nitric oxide synthase. The ultrastructural study revealed that all the Leydig cells were positively stained for NADPH diaphorase; however, a small number of cells displayed weak enzymatic activity. The reaction product was located in the mitochondria, smooth endoplasmic reticulum and lipidic vacuoles, and the nuclear envelope was also stained. The possible meaning of the NADPH diaphorase activity in the Leydig cells of mice was discussed.