Morphological evidence for two types of idiopathic 'Sertoli-cell-only' syndrome.
Biopsies of testicular specimens taken from 41 patients that were diagnosed as having idiopathic Sertoli-cell-only syndrome were classified into two types, A and B, on the basis of histological and immunohistochemical findings. Thirty eight specimens that were classified as type A exhibited seminiferous tubules of small diameter and with tubular wall hyalinization, but containing normal adult type Sertoli cells. The other three specimens that were classified as type B showed no seminiferous tubular wall hyalinization, and their Sertoli cells had vimentin distribution localized in the subnuclear cytoplasm and had a pseudostratified lining, features resembling the appearance of fetal Sertoli cells. In one patient with a seminoma, a comparative study of the same testis prior to and post-irradiation was undertaken. Judging from this, postpubertal depletion of the germ cell population was considered to be responsible for the tubular atrophy observed in type A. Type B testes, though small in number, were characterized by a morphology distinct from the type A, but their pathogenesis remains unknown.
Terada
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T
Department of Pathology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan.
Hatakeyama
S
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D000328:Adult; D004407:Dysgerminoma / Q000473:pathology; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013577:Syndrome; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D013737:Testis / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000196:embryology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone