[Culture and identification of human adult Leydig cells].

OBJECTIVE: To obtain a simple and effective method to isolate and purify adult Leydig cells. METHODS: The testes of human adults were digested and then the density gradient centrifugation of the cells was performed with four different Percoll concentrations (60%, 34%, 26%, 21%) to isolate Leydig cells, whose characteristics were identified by cytological observation staining, 3beta-HSD staining and detection of hCG and testosterone secretion. RESULTS: High-concentration (> 90%) purified Leydig cells were acquired, and many identification experiments demonstrated the adequate testosterone secretory function of the isolated and purified Leydig cells. CONCLUSION: This method is easy and efficient for the isolation and purification of adult Leydig cells.