Biomaterial Database

Electron microscopic and enzyme investigations of the testicular tissue in infertile males. 1986

D Tzvetkov, and J Martinova, and J Usunova, and S Dimitrov

The ultrastructural characteristics of the testicular tissue in male infertility and the isoenzyme spectrum of some enzymes in sperm cells have been studied. The testicular material was taken by Vilar's method from three healthy males with normospermia and eleven males with hypogonadism, azoospermia and infertility. The material was treated by the routine methods for electron investigation and the observations were done with an electron microscope Opton EM 109. Horizontal electrophoresis of the testicular homogenate was done according to Nance. Malate dehydrogenetic activity (MDX) was rendered according to the method of Shaw and Prasad, and diaphoresis (DP) was carried out according to Brewer. It was found that spermatogenesis was interrupted at the pachytene stage at an ultrastructural level. Biochemical investigations showed that in the infertile testis two other atypical fractions appeared on diaphoresis, while at the malate dehydrogenase, a second fraction had considerably lower intensity as compared to the controls. It is pointed out that some profound disorders developing in the infertile testis affect mainly the germinal cells, which was proved at the ultrastructural level and also by the analysis of the isoenzymes MDH and DF key enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007006	Hypogonadism	Condition resulting from deficient gonadal functions, such as GAMETOGENESIS and the production of GONADAL STEROID HORMONES. It is characterized by delay in GROWTH, germ cell maturation, and development of secondary sex characteristics. Hypogonadism can be due to a deficiency of GONADOTROPINS (hypogonadotropic hypogonadism) or due to primary gonadal failure (hypergonadotropic hypogonadism).	Hypergonadotropic Hypogonadism,Hypogonadism, Isolated Hypogonadotropic,Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism,Hypogonadism, Hypergonadotropic,Hypogonadism, Hypogonadotropic
D007248	Infertility, Male	The inability of the male to effect FERTILIZATION of an OVUM after a specified period of unprotected intercourse. Male sterility is permanent infertility.	Sterility, Male,Sub-Fertility, Male,Subfertility, Male,Male Infertility,Male Sterility,Male Sub-Fertility,Male Subfertility,Sub Fertility, Male
D008291	Malate Dehydrogenase	An enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of (S)-malate and NAD+ to oxaloacetate and NADH. EC 1.1.1.37.	Malic Dehydrogenase,NAD-Malate Dehydrogenase,Dehydrogenase, Malate,Dehydrogenase, Malic,Dehydrogenase, NAD-Malate,NAD Malate Dehydrogenase
D008297	Male		Males
D008854	Microscopy, Electron	Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen.	Electron Microscopy
D009845	Oligospermia	A condition of suboptimal concentration of SPERMATOZOA in the ejaculated SEMEN to ensure successful FERTILIZATION of an OVUM. In humans, oligospermia is defined as a sperm count below 20 million per milliliter semen.	Cryptospermia,Cryptozoospermia,Low Sperm Count,Hypospermatogenesis,Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia,Oligozoospermia,Cryptospermias,Cryptozoospermias,Hypospermatogeneses,Low Sperm Counts,Oligoasthenoteratozoospermias,Sperm Count, Low,Sperm Counts, Low
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012708	Sertoli Cells	Supporting cells projecting inward from the basement membrane of SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES. They surround and nourish the developing male germ cells and secrete the ANDROGEN-BINDING PROTEIN and hormones such as ANTI-MULLERIAN HORMONE. The tight junctions of Sertoli cells with the SPERMATOGONIA and SPERMATOCYTES provide a BLOOD-TESTIS BARRIER.	Sertoli Cell,Cell, Sertoli,Cells, Sertoli
D013090	Spermatocytes	Male germ cells derived from SPERMATOGONIA. The euploid primary spermatocytes undergo MEIOSIS and give rise to the haploid secondary spermatocytes which in turn give rise to SPERMATIDS.	Spermiocytes,Spermatocyte,Spermiocyte
D013091	Spermatogenesis	The process of germ cell development in the male from the primordial germ cells, through SPERMATOGONIA; SPERMATOCYTES; SPERMATIDS; to the mature haploid SPERMATOZOA.	Spermatocytogenesis,Spermiogenesis