• PMID: 24895614
• Gene Name: CD68
• Condition: Azoospermia
• Association: Histological analysis pointed out certain structural changes of macrophages and Leydig cells in NOA group of patients when compared to controls. In the testis interstitium, an increased presence of CD68 positive cells has been noted. Leydig cells in NOA p
• Sex: Male
• Infertility type: Male infertility
• Other associated phenotypes: Azoospermia

Macrophages and Leydig cells in testicular biopsies of azoospermic men

Goluža T, Boscanin A, Cvetko J, Kozina V, Kosovi? M, Bernat MM, Kasum M, Kaštelan Z, Ježek D.

A number of studies have indicated that testicular macrophages play an important role in regulating steroidogenesis of Leydig cells and maintain homeostasis within the testis. The current paper deals with macrophages (CD68 positive cells) and Leydig cells in patients with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). Methods employed included histological analysis on semi- and ultrathin sections, immunohistochemistry, morphometry, and hormone analysis in the blood serum. Histological analysis pointed out certain structural changes of macrophages and Leydig cells in NOA group of patients when compared to controls. In the testis interstitium, an increased presence of CD68 positive cells has been noted. Leydig cells in NOA patients displayed a kind of a mosaic picture across the same bioptic sample: both normal and damaged Leydig cells with pronounced vacuolisation and various intensity of expression of testosterone have been observed. Stereological analysis indicated a significant increase in volume density of both CD68 positive and vacuolated Leydig cells and a positive correlation between the volume densities of these cell types. The continuous gonadotropin overstimulation of Leydig cells, together with a negative paracrine action of macrophages, could result in the damage of steroidogenesis and deficit of testosterone in situ. FAU - Goluža, Trpimir AU - Goluža T AD - Clinic for Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Petrova 13, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. FAU - Boscanin, Alexander AU - Boscanin A AUID- ORCID: 0000-0003-1620-5193 AD - Loma Linda University, 11060 Anderson Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA. FAU - Cvetko, Jessica AU - Cvetko J AD - Loma Linda University, 11060 Anderson Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA. FAU - Kozina, Viviana AU - Kozina V AUID- ORCID: 0000-0002-0775-2462 AD - Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata 3, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. FAU - Kosović, Marin AU - Kosović M AUID- ORCID: 0000-0003-3149-4288 AD - Department of Physics and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata 3, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. FAU - Bernat, Maja Marija AU - Bernat MM AD - Clinic for Urology, Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. FAU - Kasum, Miro AU - Kasum M AD - Clinic for Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Petrova 13, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. FAU - Kaštelan, Zeljko AU - Kaštelan Z AD - Clinic for Urology, Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.