Spermatogenetic Activity Research Articles

Risk for testicular germ cell tumors and spermatogenesis failure in post-pubertal undescended testes.

Cryptorchidism is a well-defined risk factor for testicular germ cell tumors, whereas the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Surgical procedures to reposition undescended testicles into the scrotum (orchidopexy) in early childhood are recommended both to increase fertility potential and to reduce the risk of developing testicular tumors. However, treatment in the post-pubertal period is controversial. The aim of this study is to review the histopathology of orchiectomy specimens and determination of spermatogenesis in post-pubertal patients with non-treated cryptorchidism. Retrospective chart review was performed to assess the occurrence of TGCTs and determine spermatogenesis in post-pubertal individuals who underwent inguinal orchiectomy for undescended testis between January 2010 and December 2019. Age at the time of surgery, laterality, location of theundescended testis and pathology results were evaluated. All pathology specimens were reviewed by a blinded pathologist. There were 23 patients in the cohort with a mean age of 21years (range 13-46years). All testes were in the inguinal canal. Our results indicated that 1 patient had seminoma. In the histological evaluation of the remaining 22 patients in whom no tumor was detected, normal spermatogenesis was not observed in any patient. Further, seminiferous tubules were not found in 19 patients. Maturation arrest was detected in the remaining 3 patients. Testicular germ cell carcinoma was found in 4% of the patients who underwent post-pubertal orchiectomy. In addition, none of the undescended testes had normal spermatogenetic activity. Thus, orchiectomy should be considered in post-pubertal males with unilateral undescended testis that do not need the endocrinological activity of the testis.

Reproductive Characteristics of the Kulzer’s Rock Lizard Phoenicolacerta kulzeri (Reptilia: Lacertidae)

The present study aims to determine, by histological examination, the female reproductive cycle of specimens of Kulzer’s rock lizards collected in a mountainous region in Lebanon. Females of Phoenicolacerta kulzeri followed a seasonal reproductive pattern. Winter hibernation period lasted for 5 months. Females of P. Kulzeri exhibited a reproductive activity during spring characterized by the presence of vitellogenic follicles in the ovaries and eggs in the oviducts. Oviposition occurred throughout the springtime. Up to two clutches were produced with an average clutch size of 2.9 eggs. Clutch size was significantly correlated to female body size. The attainment of sexual maturity was at a minimum size of 46 mm snout-vent length. The mean body size of adult females was 55.0 mm and did not differ significantly from that of adult males. Females showed a period of sexual rest in summer and none of them showed a reproductive activity in autumn. The female reproductive activity of P. kulzeri was well-synchronized with that of the males in spring; however, an autumnal asynchrony was observed between the female and male reproductive cycles, since males continued to exhibit a spermatogenetic activity.

Histopathologic and histomorphometric evaluation of Dipetalonema evansi infection in camel testicular tissue.

Camels are important sources of milk, meat, wool and leather, and are widely used in transportation in arid and semi-arid areas. But their illnesses, especially parasitic diseases, have not been taken into consideration. The Dipetalonema evansi microfilariae are in the blood. Adult nematode is only dedicated to camels and disrupts spermatic arteries, lung arteries, right atrium, and testicles. This study was carried out on testicular samples of camels infected with D. evansi referred from slaughterhouse. In each of the control and contaminated groups, 5 samples were examined. In this study, in addition to the qualitative description of parasite histopathologic lesions, the spermatogenesis process was evaluated quantitatively including spermatogenesis process, diameter of the seminiferous tubules and Johnsen ranking and compared with the control group. Histopathological examination of infected testis with D. evansi showed lumen obstruction of testicular blood vessels by parasites, hypertrophy of blood vessels, degenerative and necrosis changes in the tubules, decreased spermatogenetic activity, increased interstitial space tubules, destruction of the spermatogenic cells. Also, there was a significant difference in the control and contaminated groups in the parameters of spermatogenesis, diameter of the seminiferous tubules and Johnsen score.

Effect of atorvastatin on spermatogenesis in rats: A stereological study

Purpose: To investigate the effects of oral atorvastatin on spermatogenesis in a rat model.Methods: Rats were equally assigned into control and study groups, the latter receiving atorvastatin (20 mg/kg/day). At the end of 12 weeks, spermatogenetic activity was evaluated using stereological and optical fractionator methods. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone (TT), and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were measured using micro–ELISA kits. Total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL - C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were also measured by enzymatic colorimetric assays.Results: Testicular stereological analysis revealed that atorvastatin reduced Sertoli cell numbers (p < 0.001), spermatogonia (p < 0.001), spermatocytes (p < 0.001), and seminiferous tubule diameters (p < 0.001). LDL – C (p = 0.01) and TG (p = 0.01) values were significantly lower in the study group compared with the control group. There was no significant difference in FSH (p = 0.44), LH (p = 0.48),and TT (p = 0.06) levels between the groups.Conclusion: The findings show that atorvastatin causes deleterious effects on rat spermatogenesis. It should therefore be used with caution in clinical practice owing to its potential adverse effects, especially on male fertility.
 Keywords: Statin, Atorvastatin, Spermatogenesis, Stereology, Testis

Proxeed plus salvage rat testis from ischemia- reperfused injury by enhancing antioxidant’s activities and inhibition of iNOS expression

Testicular torsion is an acute urological emergency condition that occurs due to obstruction of blood flow to the testicles which may result in ischemia and loss of testicular functions. This study examined the protective effects of Proxeed Plus (PP), a dietary supplement on testicular ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injured rats using oxidative stress markers, hormonal levels, apoptotic parameters, histological and immunohistochemistry analysis at 4 h and after 7 days of reperfusion. The protective treatment of the I/R injured rats with PP at 1000 and 5000 mg/kg body weight (bw) resulted in significant increases in the serum and tissue antioxidative defense capacities (superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione, catalase, glutathione-s-transferase, and glutathione peroxidase), sex hormones (luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and testosterone), also reduce pro-oxidative markers (malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide), serum iNOS and apoptotic parameters (Caspase -3 and Caspase -9) in comparison to the results detected in the I/R untreated rats. It was also observed that PP ameliorated histological changes of I/R injured rats; increased spermatogenetic activity, seminiferous tubular diameter, Leydig cell mass, and reduced expressions of testicular inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Therefore, the therapeutic use of Proxeed Plus could be considered a promising approach in averting testicular damage against I/R injury.

CLINICAL ASSESSMENT OF HERBAL FORMULATION IN REDUCING OXIDATIVE STRESS CAUSING SPERMATOGENETIC DISORDERS USING THE ROS, D- ROMS AND MDA TESTS

Background: Several Ayurvedic textbooks describe Sida cordifolia Linn. and Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn. for their anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antioxidant and sexual properties. After obtaining good results in treatment of male sexual disorders during pre-clinical studies, this clinical trial was taken up to assess the antioxidant properties responsible for spermatogenetic activity of aqueous extract of roots of these two plants. 
 Methods: The study uses subjective evaluation of primary symptoms, estimation of Testosterone levels, sperm analysis and evaluation of oxidative stress levels for assessing the therapeutic efficacy of research formulation through placebo controlled clinical trials on 80 males having lack of sexual desire and non-satisfactory sexual life divided in four study groups. Group I was the control group while Group II received Sida cordifolia Linn., Group III Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn. and Group IV was administered both these plants mixed equally. The tests for assessment of oxidative stress levels include the d-ROMs test, ROS determination by ELISA Sandwich kit and the determination of MDA level by ELISA method test.
 Results: The three drug treated groups (II, III and IV) showed significantly higher therapeutic efficacy in respect of primary symptoms, Testosterone levels and sperm morphology 7 motility as compared to the control group. The decrease in d-ROM value was 2.01% in Group I while it was 16.61%, 12.56% and 20.87% respectively in Groups II, III and IV. Similarly, % decrease in ROS concentration was 4.15, 4.71 and 4.23 in case of Groups II, III and IV while % decrease in oxidative stress marker MDA was 13.58, 12.65 and 13.89 in these treatment groups as compared to very nominal changes in Group I.
 Conclusions: During clinical trial, the three drug treatment groups showed significantly higher therapeutic efficacy as compared to the control group. Among these three groups, Group IV containing both Sida cordifolia Linn. and Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn. exhibited the highest improvement, followed by Group II containing Sida cordifolia Linn. and then Group III containing Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn. The results of the clinical study confirm the antioxidant and spermatogenetic action of the research formulations.
 Key words: Ayurvedic formulation, Sida cordifolia Linn., Glycyrrhiza Glabra Linn., clinical trial, antioxidant

Spermatogenic Efficacy of Pausinystalia yohimbe (K. Schum.) Pierre ex Beille Roots in Male Rats

Background: The roots of Pausinystalia yohimbe have been traditionally acclaimed as aphrodisiac. In the present study, methanol extract of the root was evaluated for its effect on sexual orientation behaviour and spermatogenesis in albino Wistar rats. Methods: Forty five (45) male albino rats were randomly divided into five groups of nine rats each. Rats in group I (control) were administered 1 mL/kg body weight distilled water (vehicle), group II received 5 mg/kg body weight sildenafil citrate (Viagra), while those in groups III, IV, and V were given 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg body weight, respectively, of methanol extract of Pausinystalia yohimbe root in the same volume. Female albino rats were made receptive by hormonal treatment. Sexual orientation behaviour parameters were monitored on days 1, 7 and 14 by pairing with receptive females. A change in sexual orientation behaviuor was assessed by orientation towards female, towards environment and towards self, while spermatogenic activity was evaluated on day 14. Results: Administration of the extract had pronounced effect on sexual orientation behaviour of male towards the female rats on days 7 and 14. Males treated with the extract displayed more frequent and vigorous anogenital sniffing and mounting as compared to untreated animals. Libido was also at increase in extract treated male rats. The extract had stimulated the spermatogenetic activity and accessory reproductive organs performance in albino rats. The increased spermatogenesis in extract treated groups was confirmed by change in histoarchitecture as evidenced by increase in number of spermatogenic elements and parameters. Conclusion: P. yohimbe exhibited remarkable increase in sexual orientation, libido and spermatogenic activity which are some of the indices that determine the ability of a male to produce viable spermatozoa. These findings support the folk use of this plant as an aphrodisiac.

Skeletochronology, age at maturity and cause of mortality of loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta stranded along the beaches of Campania (south-western Italy, western Mediterranean Sea)

Information on demographic and life-history traits of endangered vertebrate species, such as sea turtles, is crucial for planning management and conservation actions. We applied skeletochronology of phalanges to estimate the age of loggerhead turtles, Caretta caretta, found dead stranded along the beaches of Campania (western Mediterranean) from 2013 to 2017. To obtain maturity data, we examined gonads from a subsample of 7 males and 11 females. Overall, curved carapace length (CCL) ranged from 5.6 to 90.8 cm, but for most turtles (89%) it was 50–79.9 cm. Predominance of stranded females (62%) was recorded. Ten out of the eighteen histologically examined gonads allowed estimating maturity. Based on the lines of arrested growth counting, the estimated age of the examined specimens ranged from 0 (hatchling) to 26 years. The modal age was 14 years for males and 17 years for females. The smallest male with spermatogenetic activity had a CCL of 65 cm and was estimated to be 16 years old. The smallest female with follicular development stage, characterising the transition towards adulthood, had a CCL of 69.5 cm and was estimated to be 20 years old. Anthropogenic factors were responsible for 36% of the mortality of individuals, followed by parasitic/infective pathologies (20%).

Effect of Zinc and Melatonin on Oxidative Stress and Serum Inhibin-B Levels in a Rat Testicular Torsion–Detorsion Model

The present study was aimed to examine the effects of 3-week zinc and melatonin administration on testicular tissue injury and serum Inhibin-B levels caused by unilateral testicular torsion-detorsion in rats. The study was performed on 60 Wistar Albino-type adult male rats. The animals were allocated to 6 groups in equal numbers. 1. Control; 2. Sham; 3. Ischemia-reperfusion; 4. Zinc+ischemia-reperfusion; 5. Melatonin+ischemia-reperfusion; 6. Zinc+melatonin+ischemia-reperfusion. Zinc and melatonin were administered before ischemia-reperfusion at doses of 5 and 3mg/kg respectively, by intraperitoneal route for a period of 3weeks. Testicular torsion-detorsion procedures consisted of ischemia for 1h and then reperfusion for another hour of the left testis. Blood and testicular tissue samples were collected to analyze erythrocyte and tissue GSH and plasma and tissue MDA, Inhibin-B levels. The highest erythrocyte and testis GSH values were found in zinc, melatonin, and zinc+melatonin groups (p<0.001). Torsion-detorsion group has significantly lower erythrocyte GSH levels and higher plasma MDA values (p<0.001). Serum inhibin-B and spermatogenic activity levels in the torsion-detorsion group were also significantly lower than those in the other groups (p<0.001). However, zinc-, melatonin-, and melatonin+zinc-supplemented groups have higher inhibin-B and spermatogenetic activity (p<0.001). The results of the study show that zinc, melatonin, and melatonin+zinc administration partially restores the increased oxidative stress, as well as the reduced inhibin-B and spermatogenic activity levels in testes ischemia-reperfusion in rats. Suppressed inhibin-B levels in the testicular tissue may be a marker of oxidative stress.

Male reproductive seasonality of the Snake-eyed Lizard, Ophisops elegans Ménétriés, 1832, from Lebanon (Reptilia: Lacertidae)

We studied the male reproductive cycle in a population of Ophisops elegans from Mount Sannine, Lebanon, by histological analysis. Testicular histology showed active spermatogenesis in spring, followed by a testicular regression at the end of summer and a subsequent recrudescence in autumn. Monthly variations in the epididymis, the ductus deferens and the sexual segment of the kidney were in synchrony with the testicular cycle. They were hypertrophied as spermatogenetic activity increased and atrophied as spermatogenetic activity decreased. Males of O. elegans showed a vernal type of spermatogenesis with a close relationship between the evolution of the seminiferous tubules and the secondary sexual characters.

Role of Inhibitors of Apoptosis Proteins in Testicular Function and Male Fertility: Effects of Polydeoxyribonucleotide Administration in Experimental Varicocele.

Neuronal apoptosis inhibitory protein (NAIP) and survivin might play an important role in testicular function. We investigated the effect of PDRN, an agonist of adenosine A2A receptor, on testicular NAIP and survivin expression in an experimental model of varicocele. After the creation of experimental varicocele (28 days), adolescent male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to one of the following treatments lasting 21 days: vehicle, PDRN (8 mg/kg i.p., daily), PDRN + 3,7-dimethyl-propargylxanthine (DMPX, a specific adenosine A2A-receptor antagonist, 0.1 mg/kg i.p., daily), varicocelectomy, and varicocelectomy + PDRN (8 mg/kg i.p., daily). Sham-operated animals were used as controls. Animals were then euthanized and testis expression of NAIP and survivin was evaluated through qRT-PCR, western blot, and immunohistochemical analysis. Spermatogenetic activity was also assessed. NAIP and survivin expressions were significantly reduced following varicocele induction when compared to sham animals whereas PDRN-treated rats showed an increase in NAIP and survivin levels. Immunohistochemistry revealed an enhanced expression of NAIP and survivin with a characteristic pattern of cellular localization following PDRN treatment. Moreover, administration of PDRN significantly restored spermatogenic function in varicocele rats. PDRN may represent a rational therapeutic option for accelerating recovery from depressed testicular function through a strategic modulation of apoptosis in experimental varicocele.

Effect of preservation methods of oil palm sap (Elaeis guineensis) on the reproductive indices of male wistar rats.

Thirty male Wistar rats, split into five groups of six rats each, were administered different forms of oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis) sap samples by gavage based on 1.5% of their weekly body weights. Group 1 which served as control received only water, group 2 received pasteurized palm sap (PPS), group 3 received market palm wine (MPW), group 4 received frozen palm sap (FPS), whereas group 5 received fresh palm sap (FrPS). Chemical composition of the sap samples was determined. Normal feed and water were fed ad libitum. After 2 months of treatment, each male rat group was allowed 7 days to mate with six female Wistar rats. Thereafter, blood and epididymal samples were collected for testosterone assay and sperm count, respectively, before they were humanely sacrificed and testicular tissues taken for testicular histology. Litter weight and size of the pups produced by the females of each group were determined at birth. The sap samples contained carbohydrate (0.01-11.71%), protein (1.56-1.95%), ash (0.22-0.35%), moisture (92.55-98.24%), and alcohol (0.26-3.50%). PPS-treated rat group had significantly (P<.05) decreased sperm count (42.60±23.64×10(6)), abnormal increase in testosterone level, and necrosis in the histology of the testes with reduced spermatogenetic activity, compared with other treatment groups. The female rats crossed with male rats fed on FrPS or FPS produced the highest number of pups followed by the control group. This study demonstrated that the intake of FrPS improved fertility in male animals, but its administration for a long period led to necrotic changes in the testes, whereas pasteurization of palm sap, impacted negatively on the reproductive indices of male animals.

Testosterone production and spermatogenesis in free-ranging Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) throughout the year

Seasonal variation in reproduction is common in mammals as an adaptation to annual changes in the habitat. In lynx, male reproduction activity is of special interest because female lynxes are monoestric with an unusual narrow (about 1 month) breeding season. In Eurasian lynx, mating occurs between January and April depending on the latitude. To characterize the seasonal pattern of sperm and testosterone production in free-ranging Eurasian lynxes, long-term frozen-stored testis material obtained postmortem from 74 hunted or road-killed lynxes in Sweden was used to analyze annual changes in testis mass, testicular testosterone content, and spermatogenetic activity. Values of most gonadal parameters obtained in subadult lynxes were significantly different from the values observed in adult males. In adult lynxes, a moderate annual fluctuation of gonadal parameters was found which was most profound for testis weight and testicular testosterone concentration reaching highest values in March (median of 2.18 g and 2.67 μg/g tissue respectively). Grouping the data of pre-/breeding (January–April) and postbreeding season (May–September) revealed significant changes in testis weight and testosterone concentration. The relative spermatogenetic activity remained high in postbreeding testes. However, net sperm production decreased according to reduction of testis mass and a tendency to lower cauda epididymal sperm numbers in the postbreeding period was observed. Our results demonstrate that it is possible to analyze the gonadal activity of frozen testis/epididymis tissue postmortem and that male Eurasian lynxes show—opposite to the females—only moderate seasonal changes in their reproductive capacity.

Changes in the Immunolocalization of Steroidogenic Enzymes and the Androgen Receptor in Raccoon (&lt;i&gt;Procyon lotor&lt;/i&gt;) Testes in Association with the Seasons and Spermatogenesis

The raccoon is a seasonal breeder with a mating season in the winter. In a previous study, adult male raccoons exhibited active spermatogenesis with high plasma testosterone concentrations, in the winter mating season. Maintenance of spermatogenesis generally requires high testosterone, which is produced by steroidogenic enzymes. However, even in the summer non-mating season, some males produce spermatozoa actively despite low plasma testosterone concentrations. To identify the factors that regulate testosterone production and contribute to differences in spermatogenetic activity in the summer non-mating season, morphological, histological and endocrinological changes in the testes of wild male raccoons should be known. In this study, to assess changes in the biosynthesis, metabolism and reactivity of testosterone, the localization and immunohistochemical staining intensity of four steroidogenic enzymes (P450scc, P450c17, 3βHSD, P450arom) and the androgen receptor (AR) were investigated using immunohistochemical methods. P450scc and P450c17 were detected in testicular tissue throughout the year. Seasonal changes in testosterone concentration were correlated with 3βHSD expression, suggesting that 3βHSD may be important in regulating the seasonality of testosterone production in raccoon testes. Immunostaining of P450arom and AR was detected in testicular tissues that exhibited active spermatogenesis in the summer, while staining was scarce in aspermatogenic testes. This suggests that spermatogenesis in the raccoon testis might be maintained by some mechanism that regulates P450arom expression in synthesizing estradiol and AR expression in controlling reactivity to testosterone.

Effects of heart of palm (Palmito) extract on reproductive system of adult male rats

To evaluate the toxicity effects of aqueous extract of heart of palm (Palmito) on plasma testosterone, estradiol, LH and FSH hormone levels and testicular tissue in male rats. A total of 70 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into seven groups. The control group was given 1 mL of distilled water, and the experimental groups were given 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 mg/kg/day of extract for 56 days. The effect of the treatment on the male reproductive system was evaluated by assessing plasma testosterone, estradiol, LH, and FSH levels, as well as spermatogenesis process. A significant decrease in testosterone and estradiol levels were observed in rats treated with different doses of palmito. The extract consumption provided no remarkable change in the serum levels of LH and FSH, and weights of bodies, and testes in the six treated-groups compared to those in the control group. Also, treatment with the palmito resulted in a decrease of the mean seminiferous tubular diameter and the number of spermatogonia, preleptoten and pachytene spermatocytes, round spermatids, and Leydig cells. The ethanol extract of palmito has anti-androgenic properties, which affected spermatogenetic activity in all experimental groups.

Parthenogenesis, polyploidy and reproductive seasonality in the Taiwanese mountain earthworm Amynthas catenus (Oligochaeta, Megascolecidae)

Abstract Amynthas catenus Tsai et al., 2001 is a terrestrial earthworm belonging to the Pheretima complex of the family Megascolecidae. It is endemic to Mt. Hohuan of central Taiwan at elevations of 2985–3004 m. Its reproductive organs showed various stages of degeneration in the present study. The spermathecae varied from being absent (athecal) to three pairs in VI–VIII (sexthecal), and the prostate glands from a large, symmetrical pair to complete absence. For the 44 specimens examined from May 2008 to May 2010, there were 47.7% athecals, 36.4% sexthecals and 15.9% intermediates. Results of a flow cytometric analysis showed that there were three DNA ploidy levels – diploid, triploid and tetraploid (2n, 3n, and 4n) – for the athecals but only diploid for the sexthecals. The intermediates consisted of diploids and triploids. The diploids had 2n = 112 and the triploids 3n = 168. The haploid chromosome number of A. catenus was 56. Spermatogenesis occurred throughout the year with the highest activity in summer for both athecals and sexthecals, but the number of mature ova peaked in summer for the athecals and in spring for the sexthecals. There was no significant difference in mean number of mature ova produced between the athecals and the sexthecals, but the sexthecals had significantly higher spermatogenetic activity than the athecals. For all specimens examined, sperm were present in testes and seminal vesicles but not in spermathecae, an indication of parthenogenesis in the species.

Testicular tissue histology in rabbit testes after transparenchymal suturing with six different types of suture material

Our aim was to investigate the changes in testicular tissue histology associated with six different types of commonly used suture material. Twenty-one adult male New Zealand White rabbits were randomly assigned to seven groups of three animals each: sham-operated controls; polyglyconate suture; chromic catgut suture; polypropylene suture; polyglactin-910 suture; silk suture; and poliglecaprone-25 suture. All the materials tested were 6-0 caliber. In each suture-group rabbit, bilateral vertical paramedian incisions were made in the scrotal skin. Three interrupted transparenchymal sutures were then passed through the upper pole, middle, and lower pole of each testis and then fixed to the tunica albuginea using small tapered atraumatic needles. The control group underwent the same procedures but the needle was passed without suture attached. Bilateral orchiectomies were performed 30 days after suture placement, and the tissues were histologically scored. The parameters evaluated were the numbers of foreign-body giant cells and the proportion of the area that histiocytes infiltrated nearby the suture material; severity of fibrosis in the surrounding tissue; the proportion of tubules affected by the material; and spermatogenetic activity in the seminiferous tubules surrounding the suture material. The control tissues showed no inflammatory reaction and no changes in spermatogenesis. All tissue samples from all suture groups showed foreign-body reaction. In addition, all the suture-group specimens exhibited reduced spermatogenesis. Polypropylene suture had highest numbers of tubules with normal spermatogenesis and lowest numbers of maturation arrest. All the suture materials had a negative impact on spermatogenesis. Polypropylene suture caused less reaction and damage than the other five materials tested.

Evaluation von Vasektomieintervall, Spermagranulom und Patientenalter als Prädiktoren der spermatogenetischen Aktivität vasektomierter Männer

For more than 50 years vasectomy reversal is a routinely performed procedure in the field of urology. However, there is no scientific agreement about morphological changes of the testes caused by vasectomy. The existing evidence for reduced fertility rates following vasectomy reversal demands a clear statement regarding potential histological changes and impaired spermatogenesis following vasectomy. Thus far there is little knowledge about potential histological changes of the testis caused by vasectomy. 330 consecutive patients who underwent vasectomy reversal had bilateral testicular biopsies which were evaluated utilising semi-thin sections. The number of mature spermatids per seminiferous tubule was considered the variable of interest as it represents an objective and reproducible parameter of spermatogenesis. The number of mature spermatids per tubule was correlated with patient age, obstructive interval and the presence or absence of sperm granulomas via the chi-square test. Overall, 570 sections of 285 patients were eligible for evaluation. The mean patient age was 41.2 years (range 27-63 years, SD +/- 6.5 years) with a mean obstructive interval of 105.9 months (range 12-328, SD +/- 66.1). 56 patients (19.6 %) had a sperm granuloma on the right and 22 (11.6 %) on the left ductus deferens. There was no statistically significant correlation between the presence of a sperm granuloma with the number of mature spermatids per tubule (p = 0.717). Furthermore, there was neither an association of obstructive interval (p = 0.144) nor patient age (p = 0.168) with spermatogenesis. Regular spermatogenetic activity in all examined samples with development of mature spermatids was shown. Furthermore, for the first time we were able to demonstrate in a large cohort of patients that neither patient age nor obstructive interval nor sperm granuloma have a significant impact on spermatogenesis.

Intérêt clinique du dosage des peptides gonadiques

Inhibins, activins, and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) are gonadal dimeric peptides produced in ovaries and testes by homologous cells, granulosa cells and Sertoli cells, respectively. The production of inhibins is driven by FSH, that of AMH may indirectly depends on FSH, while it is down regulated, at least in the male, by testosterone. In the past decade, measurements of serum inhibin and AMH have provided useful tools for clinical investigation in gonadal disorders: pseudohermaphroditism, androgen insensitivity, anorchidism, gonadal dysgenesis, disorders of pubertal developpement. Inhibins, activins, and AMH are also reliable markers of gonadal tumors. They are extensively used as indexes of fertility: in the male the production of inhibin B reflects the spermatogenetic activity, in women both inhibin B and AMH levels are correlated with the number of preantral and early antral follicles and reflect the ovarian reserve of follicles available for recruitment.

Megalospermatocytes: indicators of disturbed meiosis in man.

Megalospermatocytes are degenerating primary spermatocytes which do not develop any further than to leptotene stage of the prophase of meiosis. In histological sections they are prominent because of their size (approximately 24 microns in diameter). The nucleus of a megalospermatocyte presents single strands of chromosomes only. The cytoplasm contains extremely widened vesicles and cisternae of the ER which are filled with a finely granular electron dense material. Megalospermatocytes may appear singular in small groups in the testis tissue of young men with varying fertility disturbances. They are relatively frequent in testis tissue of men older than 65 years. Here they represent a special form of a rest of spermatogenetic activity in the germinal epithelium.