A histomorphometric and cytogenetic study of testis from men 29-102 years old.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the influence of aging on testicular histology and the aneuploidy rate in testis postmeiotic cells.


METHODS
Comparison between older men and younger men.


METHODS
Deceased donors and patients who requested assisted reproductive technology (ART).


METHODS
Thirty-six older men (61-102 years old) and 10 younger men (29-40 years old).


METHODS
Testes were obtained from 35 deceased donors, and testicular biopsies were obtained from 11 patients who requested ART.


METHODS
Histomorphometry of testis and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), with a three-probe set X, Y, and 18.


RESULTS
The histomorphometric study showed a thickening of the basal membrane when spermatogenesis was arrested. The number of germinal and Sertoli cells decreased as age increased. The rate of aneuploidy of postmeiotic cells was 1.1% for the control group, 1.29% for older subjects with preserved spermatogenesis, and 14.28% for the subjects with an arrested spermiogenesis. Only this last figure was higher than the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The rate of aneuploidy in older subjects (61-95 years old) with preserved spermatogenesis was not statistically different from that found in the control group; it was increased in older subjects with arrested spermatogenesis.
Dakouane
Mbarka
M
Laboratoire d'Histologie Embryologie, UFR des Saint Pères, Université Paris V et UFR Paris Ile de France Ouest, Université de Versailles-Saint Quentin, Paris. dakouane@hotmail.com
Bicchieray
Lucia
L
Bergere
Marianne
M
Albert
Martine
M
Vialard
François
F
Selva
Jacqueline
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology*; D000782:Aneuploidy; D003582:Cytogenetics; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000473:pathology; D013090:Spermatocytes / Q000473:pathology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000473:pathology; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology*