Germ cell adenylyl cyclase activity in the human undescended testis and the effect of HCG-treatment.
In the present study we have examined the soluble Mn2+ dependent, germ cell specific adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity and germ cell morphology in testicular biopsies from twenty-three boys, aged 2-17 years, with undescended testes and three adult men with normally descended testes. Eight of the boys were treated with hCG immediately before surgery. Germ cell AC-activity (3.2-3.4 pmoles cAMP/mg protein/min) was found in the adult testes with normal germ cell morphology. Furthermore, low but significant AC-activity (0.2-0.8 pmoles cAMP/mg protein/min) was noted in biopsies containing only primary spermatocytes. There was no Mn2+ dependent AC-activity in Sertoli cell only testes or in testes where only spermatogonia were observed. Treatment with hCG did not influence germ cell maturation or soluble Mn2+ dependent AC-activity.
D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011627:Puberty; D013076:Sperm Count; D013093:Spermatogonia / Q000166:cytology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases