Objective: Since the atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) is synthesized in various peripheral tissues, where it acts in an autocrine or paracrine fashion, the aim was to gain new insight into ANF expression and function in rat testis after Leydig cell destruction (LCD).
Methods: Leydig cell destruction was performed by the treatment with ethane dimethane sulphonate (EDS).
Results: ANF was expressed after Leydig cell destruction and total elimination (24 h and 7 days after EDS treatment) and also after Leydig cell regeneration (21 and 45 days after EDS treatment). ANF staining in the interstitial compartment was observed in apoptotic Leydig cells 24 h after treatment. In seminiferous epithelium ANF labeling was detected in Sertoli and germ cell cytoplasm with a more prominent labeling in spermatids. The degenerating germ cells were totally labeled.
Conclusions: The demonstration of ANF staining in seminiferous epithelium after Leydig cells elimination and androgen deprivation suggests that Leydig cells are not the sole source of ANF in rat testis and that the seminiferous epithelium may be a new site in which ANF may be synthesized. The result indicates that ANF plays a role in regulating gonadal function.