Biomaterial Database

Transforming growth factor-alpha, epidermal growth factor, and epidermal growth factor receptor in human testis obtained from biopsy and castration: immunohistochemical study. 1996

H Nakazumi, and H Sasano, and I Maehara, and S Orikasa

Department of Pathology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.

We analyzed expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and their receptor, EGF receptor (EGFR), by immunohistochemistry in the human testis to determine the possible roles of these growth factors in human testicular function. Specimens were obtained from 17 patients including 9 patients with infertility, 4 patients with prostatic carcinoma and 4 patients with contralateral testicular tumor. EGF immunoreactivity was positive in the hyperplasic Leydig cells of one patient but negative in the other cases. On the other hand, strong TGF-alpha immunoreactivity was observed in Leydig cells, with weak staining in Sertoli cells and germ cells in cases with normal spermatogenesis. EGFR immunoreactivity was observed in the Leydig and peritubular cells, appearing as membrane staining. Marked immunoreactivity for TGF-alpha was observed in the Sertoli cells in testes with decreased spermatogenesis, especially in the Sertoli-cell-only syndrome. This finding may indicate a compensatory increase of TGF-alpha expression in the Sertoli cells accompanying a decrease in spermatogenesis. No significant correlation was found between the degrees of spermatogenesis and immunolocalization of the EGF receptor. These findings suggest that TGF-alpha is a locally produced growth factor that is involved in spermatogenesis in the human testis via an autocrine and/or paracrine mechanism.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007150	Immunohistochemistry	Histochemical localization of immunoreactive substances using labeled antibodies as reagents.	Immunocytochemistry,Immunogold Techniques,Immunogold-Silver Techniques,Immunohistocytochemistry,Immunolabeling Techniques,Immunogold Technics,Immunogold-Silver Technics,Immunolabeling Technics,Immunogold Silver Technics,Immunogold Silver Techniques,Immunogold Technic,Immunogold Technique,Immunogold-Silver Technic,Immunogold-Silver Technique,Immunolabeling Technic,Immunolabeling Technique,Technic, Immunogold,Technic, Immunogold-Silver,Technic, Immunolabeling,Technics, Immunogold,Technics, Immunogold-Silver,Technics, Immunolabeling,Technique, Immunogold,Technique, Immunogold-Silver,Technique, Immunolabeling,Techniques, Immunogold,Techniques, Immunogold-Silver,Techniques, Immunolabeling
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
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D009919	Orchiectomy	The surgical removal of one or both testicles.	Castration, Male,Orchidectomy,Castrations, Male,Male Castration,Male Castrations,Orchidectomies,Orchiectomies
D011471	Prostatic Neoplasms	Tumors or cancer of the PROSTATE.	Cancer of Prostate,Prostate Cancer,Cancer of the Prostate,Neoplasms, Prostate,Neoplasms, Prostatic,Prostate Neoplasms,Prostatic Cancer,Cancer, Prostate,Cancer, Prostatic,Cancers, Prostate,Cancers, Prostatic,Neoplasm, Prostate,Neoplasm, Prostatic,Prostate Cancers,Prostate Neoplasm,Prostatic Cancers,Prostatic Neoplasm
D004815	Epidermal Growth Factor	A 6-kDa polypeptide growth factor initially discovered in mouse submaxillary glands. Human epidermal growth factor was originally isolated from urine based on its ability to inhibit gastric secretion and called urogastrone. Epidermal growth factor exerts a wide variety of biological effects including the promotion of proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal and EPITHELIAL CELLS. It is synthesized as a transmembrane protein which can be cleaved to release a soluble active form.	EGF,Epidermal Growth Factor-Urogastrone,Urogastrone,Human Urinary Gastric Inhibitor,beta-Urogastrone,Growth Factor, Epidermal,Growth Factor-Urogastrone, Epidermal,beta Urogastrone
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293	Adolescent	A person 13 to 18 years of age.	Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults