Normal expression of isoforms activating cyclic adenosine monophosphate responsive element modulator in patients with spermatid maturation arrest.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether defective cyclic adenosine monophosphate responsive element modulator (CREM) expression is the causative factor of spermatid maturation arrest (SMA).


METHODS
Comparative evaluation of the testicular histology in patients with SMA or normal spermatogenesis.


METHODS
University clinic of andrology.


METHODS
Azoospermic patients undergoing testicular biopsy.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Expression of CREMtau in quantitative immunohistochemistry analysis of testicular biopsy samples.


RESULTS
Regular CREM expression was observed in the tubules with round, but not elongated, spermatids of patients with SMA (n = 9). Quantitative analysis showed that round spermatids of patients with SMA had a staining intensity similar to that observed in controls (n = 7).


CONCLUSIONS
Lack of spermatid elongation was not due to defective CREM expression. Therefore, CREM did not play a pathogenetic role in the onset of SMA in humans.
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Unit of Pathology and Cytodiagnosis, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Irina
I
Palermo
Giuseppe
G
Arcidiacono
Nunziata
N
Barone
Fabrizio
F
Italia
Mario
M
Arizzi
Giovanni
G
Spera
Giovanni
G
Bartoloni
Silvana
S
Di Mercurio
Enzo
E
Vicari
Aldo E
AE
Calogero
D001706:Biopsy; D016922:Cellular Senescence; D051786:Cyclic AMP Response Element Modulator; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D013087:Spermatids; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D051786:Cyclic AMP Response Element Modulator