Caspase signalling pathways in human spermatogenesis

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

almeida, c (Author) Other; correia, s (Author) Other; rocha, e (Author) FCUP; alves, a (Author) Other; ferraz, l (Author) Other; silva, j (Author) Other; sousa, m (Author) ICBAS; barros, a (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics

Vol. 30

Pages: 487-495

ISSN: 1058-0468

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 33 Citations

Scopus - 39 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Earth and related Environmental sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-005-1SM

DOI: 10.1007/s10815-013-9938-8

Abstract (EN): Little is known about the apoptotic mechanisms involved in abnormal spermatogenesis. In order to describe the significance of apoptosis in azoospermia, testicular tissue from abnormal spermatogenesis was analysed. Testicular treatment biopsies were obtained from 27 men. Five presented oligozoospermia, 9 obstructive azoospermia (4 congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens; 5 secondary azoospermia) and 13 non-obstructive azoospermia (5 hypospermatogenis; 3 maturation arrest; 5 Sertoli-cell-only syndrome). Immunohistochemical staining was performed for active caspases-3, -8 and -9. The presence of active caspases in Sertoli cells and germ cells was analyzed using stereological tools. Increased active caspase-3 was found in Sertoli-cell-only syndrome. No significant differences were found in maturation arrest. In hypospermatogenesis, primary spermatocytes were the germ cells with higher active caspases. Oligozoospermia and secondary obstruction showed significant differences among germ cells for the presence of all active caspases. In oligozoospermia, spermatogonia presented significant increased active caspase-9 in relation to active caspase-8. In primary obstruction and hypospermatogenesis, germ cells presented significant increased active caspases-3 and -9. Results suggest that increased active caspase-3 might be involved in Sertoli-cell-only syndrome etiology. In cases of hypospermatogenesis, intrinsic lesions at the meiotic stage seem to be related to the pathology. In secondary obstruction apoptosis is suggested to be initiated due to extrinsic and intrinsic lesions, whereas in primary obstruction only the intrinsic apoptotic pathway seems to be present. Finally, in oligozoospermic patients spermatogonia death by mitochondrial damage additionally to meiosis malfunctioning, might be on the origin of the decreased sperm output.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9