Maturation phenotype of Sertoli cells in testicular biopsies of azoospermic men

Citation
Bbs. Maymon et al., Maturation phenotype of Sertoli cells in testicular biopsies of azoospermic men, HUM REPR, 15(7), 2000, pp. 1537-1542
Citations number
36
Categorie Soggetti
Reproductive Medicine","da verificare
Journal title
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
ISSN journal
02681161 → ACNP
Volume
15
Issue
7
Year of publication
2000
Pages
1537 - 1542
Database
ISI
SICI code
0268-1161(200007)15:7<1537:MPOSCI>2.0.ZU;2-A
Abstract
The involvement of Sertoli cells in different spermatogenic impairments has been studied by an immunohistomorphometric technique using cytokeratin-18 (CK-18) as a marker for immature Sertoli cells, CK-18 is known to be expres sed in Sertoli cells during prenatal and prepubertal differentiation and is normally lost at puberty. Forty-nine azoospermic men were included in the current study. Quantitative measurements on testicular biopsies revealed th e highest CK-18 expression in the mixed atrophy biopsies (22 men), a lower expression in the Sertoli cell-only (SCO) biopsies (12 men), and minimal re sidual staining in the group considered as representing normal spermatogene sis (six obstructive azoospermia patients). The cytokeratin immunopositive- stained tubules were associated either with arrest in spermatogenesis or wi th SCO, Examination of sections from nine men with microdeletions in the AZ F region of the Y chromosome revealed that these men mere either negative f or CK-18 expression or showed only weak residual staining. This may suggest that the spermatogenic defect in the AZF-deteted men originates in the ger m cell and has no impact on Sertoli cell maturation. The cause that determi ned the spermatogenic defect in the other cases of male infertility with hi gh CK-18 expression may have damaged both the Sertoli and the germ cells.