The human testis studied using stereological methods
Abstract
The aim of the present pilot study was estimate the total number of Leydig cells and Sertoli cells and the number weighed mean volume of the Leydig cells in men. During the last years, efficient unbiased and relative fast methods to quantificate cells are developed. A principle based on a systematic uniform sampling scheme, the fractionator and a three dimensional counting probe, the optical disector, was used to estimate the total number of Sertoli and Leydig cells in four men. No assumptions about shape, size or orientation of the cells or shrinkage of the organ are needed, when these methods are used. A new method to characterize the volume and the size distribution of cells, the rotator was used to estimate the number weighted mean volume. The mean total number of Sertoli and Leydig cells in normal men was estimated to 1140 x 106 (CE (SEM/mean) = 0.14) and 180 x 106 (CV (SD/mean) = 0.20) respectively. The mean volume of Leydig cells was estimated to 3099 µm3 (CV = 0.24).