{"title":"Immunohistochemical evaluation of Sertoli and Leydig cells of scotch cat testis (<i>Felis catus</i>) at diverse ages.","authors":"Durah Fares Hashem, Siraj Muneer Al-Kafagy","doi":"10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i5.62","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The testicles are located in a muscular, skin-covered, highly pigmented sac called the scrotum. The testicles produce both sperm and androgens, such as testosterone.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>The current study aimed to evaluate the immunohistochemical characteristics of the testis in three age groups (kitten, adult, and senior) of Scottish cat breeds (<i>Felis catus</i>) during the postnatal period, focusing on changes in Sertoli cells and Leydig cells. These two cell types play essential roles in male reproductive function, as Sertoli cells provide structural and metabolic support for spermatogenesis, while Leydig cells are responsible for testosterone production.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Testicular samples were collected from clinically healthy cats and categorized into three age groups. The tissues were processed using routine histological techniques, followed by immunohistochemical staining to detect specific cellular markers for Sertoli and Leydig cells. The immunoreactivity and cellular distribution were evaluated and compared among the different age groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The findings demonstrated clear age-dependent variations in both cell populations. In kittens, weak immunoreactivity and incomplete development of seminiferous tubules were observed, indicating functional immaturity of the testis. Adult cats showed the highest immunoreactivity and well-organized seminiferous tubules, reflecting active spermatogenesis and optimal endocrine function. In contrast, senior cats exhibited a marked reduction in immunostaining intensity and structural degeneration of the seminiferous tubules, accompanied by a decrease in Leydig cell density.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study concludes that testicular structure and function in Scottish cats undergo significant age-related changes. Peak reproductive activity occurs in adulthood, while aging is associated with a decline in both cellular activity and structural integrity of the testis, affecting overall reproductive efficiency.</p>","PeriodicalId":19531,"journal":{"name":"Open Veterinary Journal","volume":"16 5","pages":"3229-3236"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6000,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13313884/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Open Veterinary Journal","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i5.62","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2026/5/31 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"VETERINARY SCIENCES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: The testicles are located in a muscular, skin-covered, highly pigmented sac called the scrotum. The testicles produce both sperm and androgens, such as testosterone.
Aim: The current study aimed to evaluate the immunohistochemical characteristics of the testis in three age groups (kitten, adult, and senior) of Scottish cat breeds (Felis catus) during the postnatal period, focusing on changes in Sertoli cells and Leydig cells. These two cell types play essential roles in male reproductive function, as Sertoli cells provide structural and metabolic support for spermatogenesis, while Leydig cells are responsible for testosterone production.
Methods: Testicular samples were collected from clinically healthy cats and categorized into three age groups. The tissues were processed using routine histological techniques, followed by immunohistochemical staining to detect specific cellular markers for Sertoli and Leydig cells. The immunoreactivity and cellular distribution were evaluated and compared among the different age groups.
Results: The findings demonstrated clear age-dependent variations in both cell populations. In kittens, weak immunoreactivity and incomplete development of seminiferous tubules were observed, indicating functional immaturity of the testis. Adult cats showed the highest immunoreactivity and well-organized seminiferous tubules, reflecting active spermatogenesis and optimal endocrine function. In contrast, senior cats exhibited a marked reduction in immunostaining intensity and structural degeneration of the seminiferous tubules, accompanied by a decrease in Leydig cell density.
Conclusion: The study concludes that testicular structure and function in Scottish cats undergo significant age-related changes. Peak reproductive activity occurs in adulthood, while aging is associated with a decline in both cellular activity and structural integrity of the testis, affecting overall reproductive efficiency.
期刊介绍：
Open Veterinary Journal is a peer-reviewed international open access online and printed journal that publishes high-quality original research articles. reviews, short communications and case reports dedicated to all aspects of veterinary sciences and its related subjects. Research areas include the following: Infectious diseases of zoonotic/food-borne importance, applied biochemistry, parasitology, endocrinology, microbiology, immunology, pathology, pharmacology, physiology, epidemiology, molecular biology, immunogenetics, surgery, ophthalmology, dermatology, oncology and animal reproduction. All papers are peer-reviewed. Moreover, with the presence of well-qualified group of international referees, the process of publication will be done meticulously and to the highest standards.
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