title: Macrophages and Leydig cells in testicular biopsies of azoospermic men.
abstract: A number of studies have indicated that testicular macrophages play an important role in regulating steroidogenesis of Leydig cells and maintain homeostasis within the testis. The current paper deals with macrophages (CD68 positive cells) and Leydig cells in patients with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). Methods employed included histological analysis on semi- and ultrathin sections, immunohistochemistry, morphometry, and hormone analysis in the blood serum. Histological analysis pointed out certain structural changes of macrophages and Leydig cells in NOA group of patients when compared to controls. In the testis interstitium, an increased presence of CD68 positive cells has been noted. Leydig cells in NOA patients displayed a kind of a mosaic picture across the same bioptic sample: both normal and damaged Leydig cells with pronounced vacuolisation and various intensity of expression of testosterone have been observed. Stereological analysis indicated a significant increase in volume density of both CD68 positive and vacuolated Leydig cells and a positive correlation between the volume densities of these cell types. The continuous gonadotropin overstimulation of Leydig cells, together with a negative paracrine action of macrophages, could result in the damage of steroidogenesis and deficit of testosterone in situ.
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Petrova 13, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Trpimir
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Goluža
authors.affiliation: Loma Linda University, 11060 Anderson Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1620-5193
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boscanin
authors.affiliation: Loma Linda University, 11060 Anderson Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cvetko
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata 3, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Viviana
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-0775-2462
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kozina
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata 3, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Marin
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3149-4288
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kosović
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Urology, Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Maja Marija
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Bernat
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Petrova 13, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Miro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kasum
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Urology, Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Zeljko
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kaštelan
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata 3, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia ; Department for Transfusion Medicine and Transplantation Biology, Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Davor
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ježek
mesh_terms: D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000378:metabolism; D053713:Azoospermia / Q000473:pathology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001706:Biopsy; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism; D000097382:CD68 Molecule
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D015415:Biomarkers; D013739:Testosterone; C067980:CD68 antigen, human; D000097382:CD68 Molecule