| Abstract: | Quantitative estimation of mast cells was done in testicular aspiration cytology smears of 90 azoospermic males. Cases included normal spermatogenesis (32), Sertoli cell only (38), late maturation arrest (16), and early maturation arrest (4). The pooled number of mast cells in 20 standard fields in Sertoli cell only and late maturation arrest cases were significantly higher than that of normal spermatogenesis (P < .001 and P < .01 respectively). Aggregates of mast cells were found around the seminiferous tubules in Sertoli cell only cases. The findings suggest that increased number of mast cells may be the cause or effect of testicular damage in idiopathic male infertility. |
