Andrology. Significance of human testicular mast cells and their subtypes in male infertility

Author： Yamanaka K. Fujisawa M. Tanaka H. Okada H. Arakawa S.

ISSN： 1460-2350

Source： Human Reproduction, Vol.15, Iss.7, 2000-07, pp. : 1543-1547

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Abstract

The mast cell populations in the human testis were examined using immunohistochemical techniques in five fertile volunteers and 12 patients with obstructive azoospermia, seven patients with idiopathic azoospermia, and 30 patients with varicocele. The number of mast cells per seminiferous tubular section was significantly increased (P < 0.05)="" in="" the="" men="" with="" idiopathic="" azoospermia.="" in="" the="" normal="" testes,="" mast="" cells="" containing="" only="" tryptase="" were="" the="" predominant="" subtype.="" in="" the="" patient="" groups,="" the="" predominant="" subtype="" of="" mast="" cell="" was="" shifted="" to="" that="" containing="" both="" tryptase="" and="" chymase.="" the="" average="" number="" of="" mast="" cells="" containing="" both="" tryptase="" and="" chymase="" per="" seminiferous="" tubular="" section="" was="" significantly="" increased="">P < 0.05)="" compared="" with="" the="" controls="" in="" patients="" with="" obstructive="" azoospermia,="" idiopathic="" azoospermia,="" and="" varicocele.="" the="" number="" of="" mast="" cells="" containing="" only="" tryptase="" was="" not="" increased="" in="" infertile="" men.="" the="" selective="" expansion="" of="" the="" mast="" cell="" population="" containing="" both="" tryptase="" and="" chymase="" may="" be="" related="" to="" spermatogenetic="" disorders="" and="" testicular="" fibrosis.="">