Ultrastructural examination of testicular tissues and evaluation of ZO-1 protein levels obtained from azoospermic cases

Authors : Ayşe ALTUN, Yasemin ERSOY CANILLIOĞLU, Evrim UNSAL, Seda KARABULUT, Canan HURDAG

Pages : 272-276

View : 69 | Download : 9

Publication Date : 2021-05-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Spermatogenesis is a process that involves cellular and biochemical processes. The purpose of this study is to understand the role of tight junctions in spermatogenesis by evaluating Zonula occludens-1 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(ZO-1); protein levels of cells from the testicular sperm extraction insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(TESE); biopsies in patients with azoospermia The study included 40 infertile men with azoospermia. They were divided into two groups, as spermatozoa positive insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n=20); and spermatozoa negative insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n=20);. Testis tissues were examined morphologically, immunohistochemically and ultrastructurally by using transmission electron microscopy insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(TEM);. The structure of seminiferous tubules were deteriorated, degenerated and hyalinized in spermatozoa negative group. ZO-1 expression level was normal in blood-testis barrier of spermatozoa positive group in comparing to lateral surfaces of sertoli cells spermatozoa negative group. The ultrastructural results were also supported with light microscopy findings. These findings suggest that decrease of the ZO-1 protein expression level in Sertoli cells might be one of the factors involved in the impairment of spermatogenesis in spermatozoa negative group. Therefore, we suggest that tight junctions may have crucial roles in spermatogenesis.
Keywords : TESE, Azoospermia, Tight juntion proteins ZO 1, Male ınfertılıty

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