Topological shifts of sudanophilic bodies in ageing male gonad.

Abstract

The topological index of sudanophilic bodies was determined in 69 testicles of men aged from 16 to 87 years (mean age 53.5 years) divided into 3 age groups, from 16 to 40 years, from 41 to 60 years, and from 61 to 87 years. A significant fall of sudanophilia was demonstrated in Leydig cells from 17.6% in young men to 11.15% in middle-aged men, and with a further non-significant fall to 8.2% in old men. Since this index demonstrates relative changes of sudanophilia, a significant increase was found in the content of lipoid bodies in the tubular epithelium in middle-aged men in relation to those dying at younger age (from 82.4% to 88.85%), and with a non-significant increase in the group of old men as compared to middle-aged men (from 88.85% to 91.8%). The relevant data from the literature are discussed and the necessity is suggested of further studies on changes of the topological index of testicular sudanophilia in relation to changes in the number of Leydig's cells and other typical features of ageing testicles.