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Can Steroid Treatment Alter Leydig Cell Growth?

Posted on Tue, 22 Dec 2015

Question: Dear Dr. Koregol,

I closed our thread but forgot to ask one more thing.

I'm worried the steroid treatment i took helped differentiate my leydig cells into mature ones....and leydig cells are permanent and dont renew, hence permanent effect of steroid. Can you advise otherwise?

Answered by Dr. Mahesh Koregol (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
No

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Steroids can't mature Leading cells just like that.

Steroid treatment is not capable of changing anything in Leydig cells.

No need to worry about it.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Mahesh Koregol (12 minutes later)

Thank you again Dr. Koregol,

Sorry for not explaining clearly. What i meant was the precursor to leydig cell ie the 'progenitor' cells. Suppose some progenitor cells were undergoing maturation DURING the androgen therapy in my teens and the androgen contributed to the maturation. This means androgen effect is permanent as the newly mature leydig cells stays forever till death.

Or can you advise otherwise?

Answered by Dr. Mahesh Koregol (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Not possible

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The maturation, cell growth and development are predecided and coded genetically.

Hence it is impossible for steroids to have influenced this phenomenon. No premature maturation of Leydig cells can happen.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Mahesh Koregol (24 minutes later)

Ok.

In early life during the growth and development of Leydig cells, apparently androgens play a role in the maturation process.

In adulthood, do they also play a role when a progenitor cell has to mature in order to replace a dead Leydig cell?

Thanks and Best Regards,
xxxxx

Answered by Dr. Mahesh Koregol (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Not possible to influence externally

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

That's right.

But Leydig cells will only take the amount needed for specific age decided maturity coded by genes.

External androgen won't make any difference to the maturity

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Mahesh Koregol (2 hours later)

Thanks. Whats the rate of turnover for leydig cells in childhood, and in adulthood - or are rates the same?

Answered by Dr. Mahesh Koregol (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Same

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

rate of turnover is almost same during each stage of life.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Mahesh Koregol (3 minutes later)

And what is the rate daily monthly yearly ?

Answered by Dr. Mahesh Koregol (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Rate of turnover

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Rate of turnover is approximately every 3 months.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar