Document Detail


Seminiferous tubule involution in elderly men.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  3593859     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The observation of different types of seminiferous tubules (from tubules with normal spermatogenesis to sclerosed tubules) in aging human testes points to the progressive stages of tubular involution in elderly men. The tubules with hypospermatogonesis (reduced number of elongated spermatids) show numerous morphological anomalies in the germ cells, including multinucleated cells. Abnormal germ cells degenerate, causing Steroli cell vacuolation. These vacuoles correspond to dilations of the extracellular spaces resulting from the premature exfoliation of germ cells. Degenerating cells that are phagocytized by Sertoli cells lead to an accumulation of lipid droplets in the Sertoli cell cytoplasm. The loss of germ cells begins with spermatids, but progressively affects the preceding germ cell types, and tubules with maturation arrested at the level of spermatocytes or spermatogonia are observed. Simultaneously, an enlargement of the tunica propria occurs. This leads to the formation of sclerosed tubules, some of which display a low seminiferous epithelium consisting of a few cells--including lipid-loaded Sertoli cells and both Ap and Ad spermatogonia--and others, showing complete sclerosis, are devoid of seminiferous epithelium. The development of tubular involution is similar to that reported after experimental ischemia, which also seems to cause nonspecific effects on the testis such as multinucleate cells, vacuoles, and increased lipids in Sertoli cells.
Authors:
R Paniagua; M Nistal; P Amat; M C Rodriguez; A Martin
Related Documents :
20654509 - The co-culture of sertoli cells and germ cells: applications in toxicology.
20399 - Pathogenesis of cryptorchidism.
9225169 - Luteinizing hormone on leydig cell structure and function.
19875489 - Fetal leydig cells: progenitor cell maintenance and differentiation.
15367369 - Hormones: what the testis really sees.
18403489 - Spermatogenesis and sertoli cell activity in mice lacking sertoli cell receptors for fo...
3165129 - Specific properties of epithelial and stromal cells from the endometrium of cows.
10354569 - Cytoskeletal rearrangement during migration and activation of t lymphocytes.
21036729 - Further studies on barretts mucosa in baboons: metaplastic glandular cells produce sial...
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Biology of reproduction     Volume:  36     ISSN:  0006-3363     ISO Abbreviation:  Biol. Reprod.     Publication Date:  1987 May 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1987-07-31     Completed Date:  1987-07-31     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0207224     Medline TA:  Biol Reprod     Country:  UNITED STATES    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  939-47     Citation Subset:  IM    
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Aged
Aging
Humans
Male
Microscopy, Electron
Seminiferous Tubules / growth & development,  pathology*,  ultrastructure
Testis / pathology*

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Inhibition of testicular testosterone biosynthesis following experimental varicocele in rats.
Next Document:  Transient shortening of estrous cycles in aging C57BL/6J mice: effects of spontaneous pseudopregnanc...