Ultrastructural changes of Leydig cells in prepubertal varicocele.
Testicular biopsies from 25 boys, aged 11-17, with left clinically evident varicocele were studied. Electron microscopic observations documented diffuse histological changes of smooth endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and mitochondria of Leydig cells. Ultrastructural modifications of these subcellular structures related to steroid hormone synthesis may impede the normal growth and maturation of the testis and impair fertility potential.
Ponchietti
R
R
Clinica Urologica Università di Firenze.
Raugei
A
A
Grechi
G
G
Dini
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D006801:Humans; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D014646:Varicocele / Q000473:pathology*