engleski

Reinke´s crystals in biopsies of cryptorchid testes

Introduction & aim: Reinke's crystals are normal constituents of Leydig cells in humans but their nature and function are poorly understood. The crystals resemble hexagonal prisms of variable size (round 3 μ m). They are composed of parallel 10 nm filaments and do not have a unit membrane. Sometimes the crystals cause a deformity of the nucleus and infolding of the nuclear membrane of Leydig cells. In some cases Reinke's crystals are observed like tiny rods within the nucleus. Aim of our study is to investigate the properties of Reinke’ s crystals in healthy and cryptorchid men. Materials & methods: We used 20 biopsies from patients with cryptorchidism and 6 biopsies from men with normal spermatogenesis (20 to 30 y.). Tissue was fixed in Gendre, embedded in paraffin and serially sectioned at 7 &micro ; m. After staining with modified Masson’ s method, specimens were observed and stereologically analyzed. To get a closer look on the shape and the placement of crystals, a Leica confocal microscope was used. Results & conclusion: Stereological analysis revealed a significant increase in number of Reinke’ s crystals inside the cryptorchid testes in comparison with controls. Pictures from confocal microscope demonstrate a hexagonal form of the crystal. Placement of the crystals is not restricted on Leydig cells only since the crystals could be found within the rest of the interstitial compartment.

testis; Leydig cells; Reinke´s crystals; cryptorchidism

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