Korean J Urol.  2003 Nov;44(11):1124-1130.

The Immunohistochemical Study of C-kit Gene on Apoptosis in Spermatogenesis

• Yang JH
• Park HJ
• Park NC

Abstract

PURPOSE: Information has been limited on the genetic control of germ cell apoptosis and its role in the pathogenesis of male infertility. The object of this study was to investigate the effects of c-kit gene expression and apoptosis on human spermatogenesis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Testicular specimens were obtained from 90 infertile males with nonobstructive azoospermia(NOA) due to primary testicular failure and from 9 healthy volunteers. The specimens of infertile men were divided into 4 groups according to hitopathologic findings: Sertoli cell only(SCO) syndrome(A), maturation arrest(B), hypospermatogenesis(C) and disorganization with sloughing(D). C-kit gene expression and apoptosis were detected with immunohistochemical stain.
RESULTS
The frequency of c-kit expression was lower(p<0.05) and that of apoptosis was higher(p<0.01) in infertility groups B, C, and D compared to that of the control group. A significant inverse correlation was observed in the c-kit gene expression and apoptosis in groups B, C and D(p<0.05). A similar relationship was also observed in the Sertoli cells in group D and the control group.
CONCLUSIONS
With the result, we suggest that variation in c-kit gene expression and apoptosis are associated with abnormal spermatogenesis and play a role in the pathophysiology of male infertility.

Keyword

Testis; Spermatogenesis; Apoptosis; C-kit protien

MeSH Terms

Apoptosis*
Gene Expression
Germ Cells
Healthy Volunteers
Humans
Infertility
Infertility, Male
Male
Sertoli Cells
Spermatogenesis*
Testis