Human Reproduction, Vol. 14, No. 12, 3041-3047,
December 1999
© 1999 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Highly sensitive quantitative telomerase assay of diagnostic testicular biopsy material predicts the presence of haploid spermatogenic cells in therapeutic testicular biopsy in men with Sertoli cell-only syndrome*
1 Department of Urology, Tottori University School of Medicine, 36 Nishimachi, Yonago 683 and 2 Reproductive Center, MFC Clinic, Yonago, Japan
The role of a telomerase assay in the recognition of Sertoli cell-only syndrome with testicular foci of haploid cells was evaluated. Men with Sertoli cell-only syndrome (n = 23) were given a new diagnostic testicular biopsy. Part of the biopsy was stained and the remainder was processed for the quantitative telomerase assay. After 3–13 months, a therapeutic testicular biopsy was performed. This material was minced and then examined using confocal laser scanning microscopy and fluorescent in-situ hybridization. Histology of diagnostic testicular biopsy material confirmed the diagnosis of Sertoli cell-only syndrome in all the participants. All seven men with a telomerase assay value in their diagnostic testicular biopsy of >42 total product generated (TPG) U/µg protein had haploid cells (i.e. spermatozoa and/or spermatids) in their therapeutic testicular biopsy. Among participants with telomerase assay values <42 TPG U/µg protein, only one man had haploid cells in his therapeutic testicular biopsy. Thus, telomerase assay values >42 TPG U/µg protein in the diagnostic biopsy identified 87.5% of the Sertoli cell-only syndrome men with haploid cells in their therapeutic testicular biopsy. Significantly higher values of the telomerase assay were found in men with testicular foci of haploid cells than in men without these foci. The use of a quantitative telomerase assay biopsy appears to be important for identifying those men with Sertoli cell-only syndrome who have foci of haploid cells and can be candidates for assisted reproduction techniques.
Key words: fertility/round spermatid/spermatozoon/telomerase/testis
3 To whom correspondence should be addressed
* Presented at The 93rd Annual Meeting of The American Urological Association in San Diego, California, May 30 to June 4, 1998, USA
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