Androgen Receptor Expression in Sertoli Cells as a Function of Seminiferous Tubule Maturation in the Human Cryptorchid Testis1

Abstract

Androgen receptor (AR) immunohistochemistry was performed in an archival collection of adult human cryptorchid testes to determine whether AR cellular distribution and intensity of immunostaining were functions of the severity of cellular dysgenesis. The seminiferous tubule histology of cryptorchid testes collected from adults is marked by three specific patterns. 1) Seminiferous tubules are characterized as maintaining focal areas of germinal cell differentiation (albeit incomplete) that are interspersed with 2) tubules composed of Sertoli cells only, these latter cells being principally of the adult type, although dysgenetic and immature Sertoli cells may also be detected. 3) In contrast, there is a class of tubule that is characterized as being composed exclusively of Sertoli cells that are extremely dysgenetic in appearance. The majority of adult-type Sertoli cells found in the first types of tubules exhibited either robust or moderate AR staining intensity. Peritubular cells of these tubules also expressed a similar AR staining intensity. In contrast, in the more dysgenetic and immature type Sertoli cells found in the second type of tubules, the intensity of AR staining was significantly less, if not missing altogether. Finally, in the most dysgenetic tubules, Sertoli cell AR staining was never detected. To our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature that addresses the intensity of AR immunostaining in Sertoli cells of cryptorchid testes. The results presented herein are consistent with the interpretation that the intensity of AR staining in Sertoli cells diminishes as a function of the severity to which the cells are afflicted within a cryptorchid testis and that focal absence of AR expression in Sertoli cells correlates with a lack of local spermatogenesis in the tubules. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 86: [413][414][415][416][417][418][419][420][421] 2001)

Cryptorchidism: The dog as a study model

“…Controverselly, in the current study we observed that the Leydig cells presented a smaller size and signs of degeneration despite being present in large numbers. A reduction in Leydig cell function has been shown in CO testes in rats ( 75 ) and humans ( 76 ), probably due to depletion of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum as it was described in humans ( 74 ).…”

Genetic Aspects of Testicular Dysgenesis Syndrome and Associated Conditions

“…Неопущение яичек также может быть связано с ТМ и наличием кластеров недифференцированных канальцев [24]. Поскольку неопущение яичек обычно диагностируют сразу после рождения, это состояние по определению имеет фетальное происхождение, что свидетельствует о связи внутриутробной задержки развития с незрелостью семенников [25].…”