Microscopic Anatomy of Sertoli and Leydig Cells During Fetal Development in Baladi Rabbit

Fifty three baladi rabbit embryos and fetuses were used in this study. The results revealed that the testicular differentiation occurred with the formation of the testicular cords with their constituents, gonocytes and primitive Sertoli cells at the 18th day postconception. The Sertoli cells were increased in number from 20th day postconception onwards and they appeared as small sized cells with oval darker nuclei. The Leydig cells were demonstrated at the 20th day of gestation life as clusters of polyhedral large cells with strongly acidophilic finely granular cytoplasm and large, vesicular, spherical and eccentric nuclei. At 28th day postconception up to the full term rabbit fetus, the Leydig cells of the testis showed a marked reduction in size and number