176 The Development of the Interstitial Cells of Leydig 



albuginea. Between the tubnli recti, on the other hand, in which sitnation 

 the intertnbnlar spaces are much wider, they are larger and fairly 

 nnmerous. A possible explanation of the atrophy of Leydig's cells is 



Fig. 5. Pig Ik cm. The tubules are much larger, the spaces and the Leydig's cells 

 much smaller than in preceding stages. Mallory's connective-tissue stain. X 800. 



suggested by a study of the growth of the seminal tubules. During the 

 time the Leydig's cells are atrophying the tubules are growing rapidly, 



especially in length, and become markedly 

 convoluted, thus reducing the width of the 

 intertubular spaces,- especially of those sit- 

 uated beneath the albuginea (Fig. fi). 

 This, taken in connection with the fact 

 that the cells of the subalbugineal region 





and in the narrow intertubular spaces are, 



for the most part, spindle-shaped, would 



indicate that mechanical pressure exerted 



by the growing tubules is a possible factor, 



at least, in the atrophy of the Leydig's 



cells. On the other hand, it might be 



argued that the atrophy of the Leydig's cells, by removing a physiological 



resistance to growth, brings about the increased growth of the tubules. 



From the stage of 1-1 cm. to that of 20 cm. Leydig's cells show little 



^*t 



Fig. 6. Pig U cm. Tubules 

 and intertubular spaces. Mal- 

 lory's connective-tissue stain. 

 X 70. 



