Ultrastructural changes in Sertoli cells in ageing humans.
Ultrastructural study of seminiferous tubules in ageing men revealed a varying degree of spermatogenetic arrest associated with changes in the Sertoli cells. Approximately half of the Sertoli cells showed a normal mature nuclear appearance although the cytoplasm was altered morphologically. These cells were classified as containing abundant lipid droplets (30%), containing large cytoplasmic vacuoles filled with an amorphous material similar to that in the tubule lumen and surrounded by junctional specializations (8%), multinucleated Sertoli cells (4%), or Sertoli cells with numerous mitochondria displaying tubular cristae (2%). The remaining 7% of Sertoli cells had an immature nuclear appearance and sparse development of the cytoplasmic organelles; these cells probably represent dedifferentiated Sertoli cells. Although individual differences were marked, a correlation between the increase in gonadotrophin levels and changes in both germ cell development and Sertoli cell structure was observed.
R
R
Paniagua
P
P
Amat
M
M
Nistal
A
A
Martin
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D006728:Hormones / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009919:Orchiectomy; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013737:Testis / Q000648:ultrastructure
D006728:Hormones