title: Distributional map of the terminal and sub-terminal sugar residues of the glycoconjugates in the prepubertal and postpubertal testis of a subject affected by complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (Morris's syndrome): lectin histochemical study.
abstract: In the present research we have investigated the distribution of the sugar residues of the glycoconjugates in the prepubertal and postpubertal testes of a subject with Morris's syndrome (CAIS, Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome). For this purpose a battery of six horseradish peroxidase-conjugated lectins was used (SBA, PNA, WGA, ConA, LTA and UEAI). We have obtained a complete distributional map of the terminal and sub-terminal oligosaccharides in the tunica albuginea, interstitial tissue, lamina propria of the seminiferous tubules, Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, mastocytes and endothelial cells. Furthermore the present study has shown that a large amount of sugar residues were detectable in the prepubertal and postpubertal testes but that some differences exist with particular regard to the Sertoli cells. The Sertoli cells and the Leydig cells of the retained prepubertal testis of the patient affected by Morris's syndrome were characterized by the presence of alpha-L-fucose, which was absent in the retained prepubertal testis of the normal subjects. Comparing the results on the postpubertal testis with those obtained on the same aged testis of healthy subjects we have demonstrated that alpha-L-fucose in the Sertoli and Leydig cells and D-galactose-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine in the Leydig cells are a unique feature of the subject affected by Morris's syndrome. D-galactose (ss1,3)-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and sialic acid, which are present in the Leydig cells of the normal testis were never observed in the same cells of the postpubertal testis of the CAIS patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Histology and Forensic Medicine, University of Florence, Policlinico di Careggi, Florence, Italy. gheri@unifit.it
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gheri
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Vannelli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marini
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Zappoli Thyrion
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Gheri
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sgambati
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging; D013734:Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006001:Glycoconjugates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006735:Horseradish Peroxidase; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013093:Spermatogonia / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D006001:Glycoconjugates; D037102:Lectins; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D006735:Horseradish Peroxidase