Expression of androgen receptor co-regulators in the testes of men with azoospermia.
OBJECTIVE
To elucidate the physiologic and pathologic roles of androgen receptor (AR) and co-regulators in human testes with obstructive azoospermia or nonobstructive azoospermia.


METHODS
Prospective laboratory and clinical study.


METHODS
Infertility clinic at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital.


METHODS
Twenty-seven men with obstructive azoospermia and 24 men with nonobstructive azoospermia.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Expression of AR and AR co-regulators was determined in testicular specimens and were analyzed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemical staining techniques.


RESULTS
Most of the AR co-regulators were expressed at similar levels in specimens obtained from men with nonobstructive and obstructive azoospermia. However, the levels of expression of ARA54 mRNA were significantly lower and ARA55 mRNA was significantly higher in specimens from men with nonobstructive than obstructive azoospermia. In specimens from men with obstructive and nonobstructive azoospermia, AR immunostaining was detected in Sertoli, Leydig, and peritubular myoid cells. ARA55 immunostaining was detected in peritubular myoid and endothelial cells of blood vessels. Interestingly, nuclear ARA54 immunostaining was detected in the late stage germ cells of specimens from men with obstructive azoospermia but in the somatic cells of specimens from men with nonobstructive azoospermia.


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrated that the decreased expression of ARA54 and increased expression of ARA55 is a feature of nonobstructive azoospermia. In addition, the differential localization of ARA54 may play an important role in testicular development and spermatogenesis in humans.
Lan
Kuo-Chung
KC
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Hseh
Chang-Yi
CY
Lu
Sheng-Yun
SY
Chang
Shiuh Young
SY
Shyr
Chih-Rong
CR
Chen
Yen-Ta
YT
Kang
Hong-Yo
HY
Huang
Ko-En
KE
D053713:Azoospermia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D051548:Histone Acetyltransferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D060588:LIM Domain Proteins; D008297:Male; D056920:Nuclear Receptor Coactivator 1; D056918:Nuclear Receptor Coactivators; D015513:Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics; D013737:Testis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
C410798:AR protein, human; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D060588:LIM Domain Proteins; C111382:NCOA4 protein, human; D056918:Nuclear Receptor Coactivators; D015513:Oncogene Proteins; C118499:RNF14 protein, human; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; C490351:TGFB1I1 protein, human; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors; D051548:Histone Acetyltransferases; C538859:NCOA1 protein, human; D056920:Nuclear Receptor Coactivator 1