Laminin and type IV collagen in the human testis

Specimens of normal human testis and biopsies from testes with Sertoli-cell-only syndrome in which the seminiferous tubules had a remarkably thickened lamina propria, were investigated immunohistochemically using specific antibodies against human laminin and human type IV collagen. In the normal testis, both laminin and type IV collagen were localized to the epithelial basement membranes and the peritubular cell layers. In addition, laminin was found in the Sertoli cells. In the pathological testis, structures representing invaginations of the tubular basement membrane were positive for both laminin and type IV collagen. The presence of laminin and type IV collagen in the myoid cell layers, and laminin in the Sertoli cells from both normal and pathological testis and its indication for the secretion of these substances by the myoid and Sertoli cells is discussed.