Testes
Read the following passage carefully and answer the given questions.
The male reproductive system includes a pair of testes along with accessory ducts, glands and the external genitalia. In adults, each testis is oval, and has about 250 compartments called testicular lobules. Each lobule contains one to three highly coiled seminiferous tubules in which sperm is produced. Each seminiferous tubule is lined on its inner side by two types of cells called male germ cells (spermatogonia) and Sertoli cells. The male germ cells undergo meiotic divisions, finally leading to sperm formation, while Sertoli cells provide nutrition. The regions outside the seminiferous tubules called interstitial spaces, contain small blood vessels and interstitial cells or Leydig cells. The male sex accessory ducts include rete testis, vasa efferentia, epididymis and vas deferens. The male accessory glands include seminal vesicles, prostate and bulbourethral glands. Secretions of these glands constitute the seminal plasma and the secretions of bulbourethral glands also helps in the lubrication of the penis.
Identify the correct functions of Leydig cells.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Synthesize and secrete androgens
The passage says that the Leydig cells (interstitial cells) lie in the spaces outside the seminiferous tubules. They make the male hormones, the androgens, of which testosterone is the main one. LH from the pituitary acts on them. Androgens in turn stimulate spermatogenesis.
(1) Provide nourishment to germ cells and secrete progesterone — Incorrect. Nourishing the germ cells is the work of the Sertoli cells, which are inside the tubules. Progesterone is a female hormone.
(2) Synthesize and secrete androgens — Correct. This is the function of the Leydig cells.
(3) Synthesize and secrete estrogens — Incorrect. Estrogens are the main female hormones, made in the ovary.
(4) Secretion of some factors and help in spermiogenesis — Incorrect. FSH acts on the Sertoli cells, which then secrete factors that help spermiogenesis, the change of spermatids into sperms. This is not the work of the Leydig cells.
Note: The passage is taken from NCERT. NTA has put lines of the NCERT text together to make it. Most CUET (UG) questions come straight from NCERT, so study the book line by line, including figures and their titles.
NCERT Extract:
The Male Reproductive System – “… Leydig cells synthesise and secrete testicular hormones called androgens. Other immunologically competent cells are also present. The male sex accessory ducts include rete testis, vasa efferentia, epididymis and vas deferens (Figure 2.1b). The seminiferous tubules of the testis open into the vasa efferentia through rete testis.”
