Stereological analysis of Reinke's crystals in human Leydig cells

Summary Reinke's crystals in human Leydig cells were analyzed stereologically to assess their functional role. Testicular tissues were taken from seven older men (57–82 years old) with prostatic carcinoma and also from seven younger men (26–38 y.o.) complaining of male infertility. Sections 0.5 m thick, stained with toluidine blue or Heidenhein's iron-hematoxylin were examined by a point-counting method and with a Particle Measurement Computor System (MC). When the patients were grouped by age, the mean crystal volume, the number of crystals per cell, the volume of crystals per cell and the volume ratio of crystals to cell were significantly larger in the older age group than in the younger age group. In particular, the latter three variables correlated well with the age of subjects, with correlation coefficients of r=0.66–0.85. On the other hand, none of these variables had any correlation with the concentration of plasma testosterone. These results indicate that Reinke's crystals can be considered as degenerative products in cell life but not as facultative constituents for testosterone production.Supported in part by a grant from Medical Foundation of Ehime, Japan     

DNA-Analysis of Human Testicular Samples by Cytofluorometry

Germ cells in human testicular samples have been estimated by histology and quantitated by flow cytometry. There is an excellent relationship between the two techniques. These samples were classified histologically as "normal", "reduced number of germ cells" or "no germ cells". A definition of "normalcy" as determined by flow cytometry as having at least 38% of the cells in the haploid state, is proposed. Testicular samples from prepubertal boys with infiltrating leukemic cells often show an increase in the percentage of S-phase cells indicating the presence of tumor. These results indicate the value of flow cytometry in the identification of reproductive and neoplastic disorders.     

Late complications following autologous and homologous fat transplantation for breast augmentation

Summary Three cases of homologous and one of autologous free fat block transplantation for breast augmentation were seen 10 to 20 years after operation due to late complications. Displacement of heavy tumors, local mastitis or disrupted capsules following local trauma led to admission. The calcified centrally necrotic cysts were treated by subcutaneous mastectomy or local enucleation and immediate reconstruction by subpectoral augmentation with silicone-gel implants or reduction mammoplasty.     

Lamina propria of sex cords in human fetal testis: an immunohistological and stereological study

Testicular peritubular cells are located in the lamina propria of seminiferous tubules. These cells, significantly contributing to the basal membrane of seminiferous epithelium, have been studied in a number of species. However, there is a lack of data on the development of the lamina propria in the human testis. The aim of our survey was to investigate the characteristics of the lamina propria and, in particular, peritubular cells in the fetal human testes by immunohistological and stereological methods. Therefore, testes (14–39 weeks of gestation, n=45) were dissected and fixed in a 4% buffered paraformaldehyde solution. Several pieces of each testis were embedded in paraffin and processed for immunohistochemical and stereological analysis. All investigated testes have shown sex cords in the process of development and differentiation. Morphologically, peritubular cells in the lamina propria can be divided into two types: fibroblast-like (FL) and myoid-like (ML) type (cells which much resemble mature myoid cells). By immunohistochemistry, both FL and ML cells are found to be strongly positive for the intermediate filament desmin, but negative for -smooth actin. While FL cells intensively express Ki-67 demonstrating proliferative activity, ML cells are found to be negative. The basement membrane of sex cords as well as the blood vessels of the interstitium show strong positivity to collagen IV and laminin. Concerning the correlation between the appearance of the investigated antigens with the gestational age, all antigens have been expressed (in the manner described above) already in the 14th week of gestation. The stereological analysis of the number (Nv) and volume (Vv) of peritubular cells indicates a pulsatile development of these cells in the lamina propria of the human fetal testis. While the stereological variables determined for FL cells show a gradual decrease, the same variables determined for ML cells demonstrate a successive increase. It appears that the lamina propria of the fetal human testes shares many of the properties previously discovered in rodents.     

Testicular focal atrophy – tubular blockade as partial degeneration of the tubule

This study investigated whether focal atrophy is a degenerative process of a whole tubule or tubular blockade as partial intratesticular degeneration. Serial section analyses of testicular tissue from 19 men with different andrologic diseases were examined. From every fifth section of any series, defined areas were viewed under a light microscope, and tubule sections were drawn. Three-dimensional reconstructions were made from these materials. Reconstructions of the seminiferous tubules showed tubular blockade as partial degeneration of the tubules. Transition from an intact portion to a blockade was accompanied by an increase in the thickness of the lamina propria. The blockade was a cell cord that contained Sertoli cells and, at most, spermatogonia, or it was a completely atrophied tubule, a so-called tubular scar. In a given tubule, defined areas of atrophy and areas of spermatogenic activity were both found. Occurrence of tubular blockade increased with age. Serial section analyses of testicular tissue showed tubular blockade as the partial degeneration of seminiferous tubules. In focal atrophy, a given tubule can have defined areas of atrophy and areas of spermatogenic activity. Received: 25 August 1999 / Accepted: 21 April 2000     

Transverse testicular ectopla: report of three cases

Two patients who presented with a history of right inguinal hernia and a third with an impalpable left testis were found to have transverse testicular ectopia. Both testes were fixed in their own scrotum, through a modified Ombredanne operation in two patients and a subdartos pouch in one.     

输精管结扎兔睾丸IL-1与血浆睾酮变化的研究

为了探讨输精管结扎术后睾丸IL—1的活性、来源及其与睾酮变化的关系,同步检测了结扎6、25个月家兔辜丸匀浆上清IL—1活性和血浆睾酮含量,并进行了睾丸组织IL—lmRNA的原位杂交.结果表明:(1)睾丸组织匀浆上清IL-1活性以VG6为高,与SOG6比较有显著差异(P<0.01);(2)睾丸组织IL-1mRNA的原位杂交,VG6中IL-lmRNA的杂交信号明显强于其他各组,杂交信号主要分布在曲细精管内的 Sertoli细胞和生殖细胞,也见于间质中的某些细胞中;(3)血浆睾酮含量结扎术后6个月明显降低,与对照组比有显著差异(P<0.05),IL-1活性与血浆睾酮含量呈明显的负相关关系(r=-0.595,P<0.01).故推测,结扎早期睾丸炎症所引起的巨噬细胞活化和Sertoli细胞吞噬变性精子和残余体过程增强,可能是睾丸IL-1的主要来源.输精管结扎术后IL-1活性的一过性升高可能是睾酮含量下降的原因.IL-1可能作为旁分泌调节因子抑制Leydig细胞睾酮合成.     

Successful pregnancy after coronary artery bypass grafting for Kawasaki disease

Abstract A 13-year-old girl with a history of Kawasaki disease underwent coronary artery bypass grafting because of angina pectoris due to a giant coronary artery aneurysm on the left main trunk artery. Nine years after the operation, the patient had an uneventful pregnancy followed by a normal vaginal delivery. This is the first case of a successful pregnancy after coronary artery bypass grafting for Kawasaki coronary artery disease.     

钢丝环固定自体表皮移植治疗白癜风

目的探索特殊部位白癜风自体表皮移植治疗的包扎固定方法。方法试验组移植区边缘用钢丝环绕一周,缝合固定于皮肤上,并留置长线,皮片移植后将包扎敷料打包固定。对照组包扎敷料用胶带封包。结果自体表皮移植治疗眼睑及唇部易活动部位白癜风,采用钢丝环固定包扎,术区护理方便,对正常生活影响小,其治疗效果与传统的包扎方法相比有效率有明显提高(P<0.01)。结论钢丝环固定包扎是一种简单有效的包扎固定方法,可以提高活动大的部位白癜风手术治疗的成功率。