title: Status of the executioner step of apoptosis in human with normal spermatogenesis and azoospermia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To localize the different proteins involved in the executioner step of apoptosis in the human testicular tissue: effector caspases (3, 6, and 7), caspase inhibitors called inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs, such as XIAP), and IAP inhibitors such as Smac/DIABLO and to investigate XIAP and Smac expression and activation of caspase-3 in azoospermia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Biology of Reproduction Center of Poissy and Inserm U407, France.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five patients diagnosed as azoospermic and 4 patients with normal testicular histology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Testicular biopsies for histopathological assessment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Localization of proteins by immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Effector caspase-7 seemed to be absent from normal human testes, whereas procaspase-3 and procaspase-6 were detected in both somatic and germ cells. XIAP was mainly expressed in Sertoli cells, whereas its inhibitor Smac was detected in pachytene spermatocytes. On the other hand, although few apoptotic germ cells were detected in biopsies from patients with obstructive azoospermia, increased levels of apoptotic germ cells were detected in spermatogenetic arrest. This increase in apoptotic germ cells was associated with increased levels of active caspase-3 in patients with spermatogenetic arrest, whereas the expression of XIAP and Smac/DIABLO was at similar levels in all groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Active caspase-3 might be important in the apoptotic process observed in spermatogenetic arrest.
authors.affiliation: Faculté de Médecine Lyon Sud, Inserm, U407, Oullins, Université de Lyon, Lyon, Université Lyon1, France.
authors.forename: Aline
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bozec
authors.forename: Souheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Amara
authors.forename: Basma
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Guarmit
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Selva
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Albert
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rollet
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El Sirkasi
authors.forename: Francois
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vialard
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bailly
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benahmed
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mauduit
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D053713:Azoospermia / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D013737:Testis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D051636:X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein / Q000032:analysis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; C412403:DIABLO protein, human; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051636:X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein; C496866:XIAP protein, human; C505407:CASP3 protein, human; D053148:Caspase 3