Vol 42, No 4 (2004)
Original paper
Submitted: 2011-12-19
Published online: 2005-02-12
Immunoexpression of androgen receptors and aromatase in testes of patient with Klinefelter's syndrome.
Małgorzata Kotula-Balak, Leszek Bablok, Stanisław Fracki, Anna Jankowska, Barbara Bilińska
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2004;42(4):215-220.
Vol 42, No 4 (2004)
ORIGINAL PAPERS
Submitted: 2011-12-19
Published online: 2005-02-12
Abstract
Klinefelter's syndrome (47, XXY) is the most common chromosome aneuploidy in men and is usually characterized by underdeveloped testes and sterility. The aim of the present study was to detect cellular distribution of androgen receptors (AR) and aromatase in testes of patient with KS. The tissue sections were processed for morphological and immunohistochemical staining. Additionally, levels of FSH, LH, PRL, estradiol, and testosterone were measured in the plasma. Morphological analysis revealed a complete absence of spermatogenesis. No germ cells were present in seminiferous tubules. In some tubules, nests of apparently degenerating Sertoli cells were found. In the interstitium, Leydig cell hyperplasia was observed. Using immunohistochemistry, nuclear AR staining was detected in Sertoli cells and peritubular cells, whereas in Leydig cells the staining was exclusively cytoplasmic. The immunostaining of aromatase was detected in the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells and Leydig cells. Increased levels of gonadotropins and decreased level of testosterone concomitantly with the cytoplasmic localization of AR in Leydig cells might contribute to the impaired testicular function in patient with KS.
Abstract
Klinefelter's syndrome (47, XXY) is the most common chromosome aneuploidy in men and is usually characterized by underdeveloped testes and sterility. The aim of the present study was to detect cellular distribution of androgen receptors (AR) and aromatase in testes of patient with KS. The tissue sections were processed for morphological and immunohistochemical staining. Additionally, levels of FSH, LH, PRL, estradiol, and testosterone were measured in the plasma. Morphological analysis revealed a complete absence of spermatogenesis. No germ cells were present in seminiferous tubules. In some tubules, nests of apparently degenerating Sertoli cells were found. In the interstitium, Leydig cell hyperplasia was observed. Using immunohistochemistry, nuclear AR staining was detected in Sertoli cells and peritubular cells, whereas in Leydig cells the staining was exclusively cytoplasmic. The immunostaining of aromatase was detected in the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells and Leydig cells. Increased levels of gonadotropins and decreased level of testosterone concomitantly with the cytoplasmic localization of AR in Leydig cells might contribute to the impaired testicular function in patient with KS.
Title
Immunoexpression of androgen receptors and aromatase in testes of patient with Klinefelter's syndrome.
Journal
Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica
Issue
Vol 42, No 4 (2004)
Article type
Original paper
Pages
215-220
Published online
2005-02-12
Page views
2898
Article views/downloads
1258
Bibliographic record
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2004;42(4):215-220.
Authors
Małgorzata Kotula-Balak
Leszek Bablok
Stanisław Fracki
Anna Jankowska
Barbara Bilińska
About this article