The Influence of Germ Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis on Spermatogenesis in Testes

Sohn, Dong Wan; Park, Nam Cheol; Yoon, Hye Kyoung

Abstract

PURPOSE: The germ cell proliferation and apoptosis were investigated in testis and its effect to the spermatogenesis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The biopsy specimens of testis were obtained from 58 infertile males with nonobstructive azoospermia due to primary testicular failure and from 13 prostate cancer cases with normal spermatogenesis. The infertility specimens were divided into 4 groups according to histopathologic findings- Sertoli cell only syndrome(A), maturation arrest(B), hypospermatogenesis(C) and disorganization with sloughing(D) and quantitatively evaluated with Johnsen score system. Germ cell proliferation and apoptosis were determined using immunohistochemical study with MIB-1, bcl-2 monclonal antibodies and TUNEL method, and evaluated the relationship between their results and histopathologic findings.
RESULTS
MIB-1 expression was negative in all infertility group A. MIB-1 positivity was revealed no statistical significance among infertility groups B, C, D and control group(p>0.05 in each). Bcl-2 and apoptosis were not expressed in all infertilty group A and control group. Bcl-2 and apoptosis positivity were revealed no significant difference among group B, C and D (p>0.05). MIB-1 expression was shown no relationship with the apoptosis (p>0.05), and a high prevalence in bcl-2 positive group, but there was no significant correlation (p>0.05). In infertility group, the MIB-1 index and bcl-2 positivity were decreased according to high Johnsen score but no statistical difference (p>0.05), and apoptosis was shown no relationship with Johnsen score (p>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
MIB-1 expression did not represent the degree of spermatogenic failure in infertile patients. The apoptosis was detected in all infertility groups except Sertoli cell only syndrome. Apoptosis was suggested to be related somewhat with spermatogeneis.