Cytophotometric DNA Quantification in Human Spermatogonia of Cryptorchid Testes

Abstract

The DNA content of spermatogonia was studied by cytophotometric quantification in the testes of cryptorchid children and adults, as well as in age-matched control males. In most cases, the average DNA content of spermatogonia was significantly increased in the cryptorchid testes of children with uni- or bilateral cryptorchidism, as well as in the contralateral scrotal testes of children with unilateral cryptorchidism. In the group of adult men the average DNA content of spermatogonia in the testes was even more increased than in children. There were not significant differences between 4 and 14 years of age, between unilateral and bilateral cryptorchidism, or between cryptorchid testes and contralateral normally descended testes. The DNA content of spermatogonia in the surgically descended testes of 3 children who were re-biopsied 3-4 years after orchidopexy was similar before and after orchidopexy. These findings suggest that the spermatogonia of many cryptorchid males bear a congenital lesion.

Ultrastructural study of the boar seminiferous epithelium: Changes in cryptorchidism

“…The presence of roundish spermatogonia with electron-dense nuclei and large nucleoli has also been observed in cryptorchid testes of children (Ring et al, 1990;Codesal et al, 1993) and men (Codesal et al, 1993). It has been suggested that these cells have abnormal DNA content as a result of disturbances in DNA replication at above-scrotal temperatures (Ring et al, 1990;Codesal et al, 1993;Jannes et al, 1998).…”

“…Alterations in germ cell number are attributed to delayed and defective maturation of gonocytes into spermatogonia, and complete failure of transformation of spermatogonia into primary spermatocytes during the perinatal period (Cinti et al, 1993;Rozanski and Bloom, 1995;Zhou et al, 1996). Untransformed gonocytes and abnormal spermatogonia degenerate progressively throughout the prepubertal period (Codesal et al, 1993;Rozanski and Bloom, 1995), resulting in decreased numbers of spermatogonia in the abdominal testes of postpubertal males with unilateral and bilateral cryptorchidism.…”

“…It has been suggested that these cells have abnormal DNA content as a result of disturbances in DNA replication at above-scrotal temperatures (Ring et al, 1990;Codesal et al, 1993;Jannes et al, 1998). Giant pyramidal spermatogonia were described in cryptorchid and retractile testes of children (Cinti et al, 1993;Codesal et al, 1993) and in testes of subfertile men (Hofmann et al, 1992). Some authors reported that these cells are multinucleate and develop as a result of complete DNA replication, but abnormal cell division (Hofmann et al, 1992;Cinti et al, 1993;Codesal et al, 1993).…”

“…Giant pyramidal spermatogonia were described in cryptorchid and retractile testes of children (Cinti et al, 1993;Codesal et al, 1993) and in testes of subfertile men (Hofmann et al, 1992). Some authors reported that these cells are multinucleate and develop as a result of complete DNA replication, but abnormal cell division (Hofmann et al, 1992;Cinti et al, 1993;Codesal et al, 1993).…”

Classification of several types of maturational arrest of spermatogonia according to Sertoli cell morphology: an approach to aetiology

“…The question is whether the maturational arrest of spermatogonia in testes with dysgenetic Sertoli cells should be explained either (i) on the basis of defective secretion of paracrine factors by the dysgenetic Sertoli cells or (ii) by a primary anomaly in most testicular cells. In cryptorchid testes, the occurrence of a primary anomaly has been supported by observation of abnormal DNA content in many testicular cells ( Codesal et al ., 1993 ), and it is possible that the same occurs in testes with dysgenetic Sertoli cells. In any case, the prognosis concerning fertility is poor in these testes.…”