Ultrastructural, Histochemical, and Cytological Study of Testis of Human Fetuses of Various Gestation Periods with Future Implications in Orchidectomy / Orchidopexy in the Patients with Seminoma and Interstitial Cell Tumors of Testis

Abstract

Background & Aims: The immunohistological and ultrastructural features of the human testis with emphasis upon the process of spermatogenesis and the cytology of the Leydig cells were reviewed in this study. The present study also has its future implications in staging of cancer metastasis in the patients with Seminoma Testis and Leydig Cell Tumors and also in future xenografting of testicular tissue from an infant human donor. Materials & Methods: The testis tissue samples from aborted human fetuses of various weeks of gestation were taken and then subjected to immunohistochemistry by Ki-67 antibodies and also to Scanning Electron Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy. Results: In the ultrastructural study, it is shown that the seminiferous epithelium is structurally partitioned by the Sertoli cells into basal and adluminal compartments via the specialized tight junctions between the Sertoli cells. The Leydig cell cytoplasm contains an abundant supply of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria with tubular cristae, both features being characteristic of steroidogenic cells. Conclusion: The detailed ultrastructural study can help the surgeons in the future xenografting processes of testicular tissue from an infant human donor to increase sperm maturity because of highly vascular testicular tissue.

Keywords

• leydig cells
• sertoli cells
• spermatogonia
• steroidogenic cells
• xenografting