The investigation of leydig cell numbers in the new zealand rabbit by using stereological methods

Testicles are paired organs that related with the reproduction of the males. They produce spermatozoa and testosterone hormone. That hormone secrets from the Leydig cells. In this study our aim was to count the 12 New Zealand Rabbit?s Leydig cells by stereological methods. The results were compared with model-based methods. Testicles were sampled using smooth fractionator approach and Leydig cell number was estimated via optical disectors. Counts were performed on six rabbit?s right and six rabbit?s left testis. The mean leydig cell number was found 28x106 for one testis. The mean CE(N) was 0.082 and the CV was 0.14. We concluded these findings are well matched with other stereological studies which performed on testicles. But results were different from model-based studies. Because model-based methods generates erroneus values. They produce different results when they apply even on the same species.