engleski

Mast cells in human foetal, cryptorchid and adult infertile testis

MAST CELLS IN HUMAN FOETAL, CRYPTORCHID AND ADULT INFERTILE TESTIS D. Ježek, Lj. Banek, S. Dolovski, M. Kos, A. Hittmair, W. Schulze Institute of Histology and Embryology, Medical Faculty University of Zagreb, Šalata 3, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia In the adult male human gonad, mast cells are situated within the testis interstitial tissue. These cells contain numerous granules with a number of paracrine factors that could influence spermatogenesis. There is a lack of data on mast cells in foetal, cryptorchid and infertile human testis. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate these cells by means of immunohistochemistry and morphometry (stereology). Foetal testes (n=24), cryptorchid testes (n=13) and testicular biopsies from infertile patients (n=31) were fixed in Bouin's fluid and embedded in paraffin. As controls, 8 biopsies form vasectomy patients were used. Paraffin sections were stained with Harris's haematoxylin and eosin for diagnostic purposes. Other slides were subjected to immunohistochemsitry (IHC) procedure (identification of mast cell tryptase). After visualisation of IHC-positive cells, their number and volume was determined using a non-biased Weibel's multipurpose system with 42 test points. Within the foetal testis, mast cells were predominantly localised under the t. albuginea and in testicular septa, i.e. between the neighbouring lobules. The cells were seldom found within the testis interstitium. Within cryptorchid testes and testicular biopsies of infertile men, two distinctive mast cell populations could be observed: a) mast cells around the blood vessels and between Leydig cells ("interstitial" mast cells), and b) mast cells that were located in the close proximity of seminiferous tubules and/or were placed in the l. propria itself ("peritubular" mast cells). Morphometric (stereological) analysis indicated a gradual increase in the number and volume of mast cells with gestational age. When compared to controls, the number and volume of mast cells in cryptorchid and infertile testes was significantly increased. However, when cryptorchid and adult infertile testes were compared, the latter exhibited more pronounced increase in mast cells. A negative correlation was found between the testis volume, the status of spermatogenesis (Johnsen score) and the number & volume of mast cells in testes of infertile patients. In conclusion, the number and volume of testicular mast cells increases with gestational age. However, the increase of mast cells within the adult testis is closely related to the impairment of spermatogenesis.

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