Altered expression pattern of heat shock transcription factor, Y chromosome (HSFY) may be related to altered differentiation of spermatogenic cells in testes with deteriorated spermatogenesis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the expression patterns of heat shock transcription factor, Y chromosome (HSFY), in the testes showing deteriorated spermatogenesis.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
University hospital, its branch hospital, and academic laboratory.


METHODS
Men undergoing testicular biopsy for the investigation of infertility and men undergoing orchiectomy for testicular cancer.


METHODS
After pathologic evaluation, specimens were subdivided into three groups: normal spermatogenesis (n = 8), maturation arrest (n = 5), and Sertoli cell-only syndrome (n = 4). Immunostaining and Western blotting techniques determined the expression of HSFY.


METHODS
Expression of HSFY in testes.


RESULTS
Western blotting data revealed HSFY in the testicular tissues with normal spermatogenesis, maturation arrest, and Sertoli cell-only syndrome, but the amount of the protein in the maturation arrest and Sertoli cell-only syndrome samples was altered. The immunohistochemical data demonstrated that HSFY was expressed in spermatogenic cells and Sertoli cells in all specimens. However, the expression of HSFY was low or absent in spermatogenic cells of maturation arrest specimens, and the ratio of HSFY expressed in Sertoli cells was different in the specimens with maturation arrest and with Sertoli cell-only syndrome.


CONCLUSIONS
Altered expression of the HSFY in the testis showing deteriorated spermatogenesis may be associated with alteration of spermatogenic cell differentiation.
Sato
Yoko
Y
Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Corporation, Kawaguchi, Saitama, Japan. ysato@nagasaki-u.ac.jp
Yoshida
Kaoru
K
Shinka
Toshikatsu
T
Nozawa
Shiari
S
Nakahori
Yutaka
Y
Iwamoto
Teruaki
T
D000328:Adult; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D041322:Chromosomes, Human, Y / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D000076249:Heat Shock Transcription Factors; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D000076249:Heat Shock Transcription Factors; D014157:Transcription Factors