[Expression of androgen receptor and heat shock protein 90alpha in the testicular biopsy specimens of infertile patients with spermatogenic arrest].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the association of spermatogenic arrest with the expression of AR and HSP90alpha.


METHODS
The two-step immunohistochemical method was used to examine the expression of AR and HSP90alpha in the testicular biopsy specimens of 57 infertile men with spermatogenic arrest, compared with those taken from 15 normal healthy men.


RESULTS
AR was expressed in the nuclei of the spermatogonia, spermatocytes and round spermatids of the normal testicular biopsy, but the intensity of the AR expression showed difference in each type of cells. Furthermore, the high expression of AR in spermatogonia and spermatids was on the margin of the cytoplasm, and perinuclear (forming a ring-like structure) were very distinctive in the spermatogenic arrest testicular biopsy specimens. HSP90alpha was expressed in spermatogonia, spermatocytes, Sertoli cells, Leydig cells and myoid cells in the normal testicular tissues, but highly expressed in the testicular tissues with spermatogenic arrest. The immunostaining intensity of HSP90alpha showed significant difference (P < 0.05) between the two kinds of testicular tissues.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that the abnormal expression sites of AR may make the androgen receptor unable to mediate androgen into the nucleus, which may down-regulate the gene transcription activity of spermatogenic cells. It is possible that the high expression of HSP90alpha may lead to a dramatic decrease in AR stability and an increase in AR abiquitirylation.
Liu
Zilong
Z
Research Institute of Family Planning, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China. Liuzilong2004@126.com
Wang
Gang
G
Pan
Yan
Y
Zhu
Changhong
C
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018841:HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D018841:HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins; D011944:Receptors, Androgen