Macrophages and Leydig Cells in Testicular Biopsies of Azoospermic Men
Figure 4
Expression of a monocyte/macrophage marker, CD68. (a) Control of immunohistochemistry (IHC) reaction, preadsorption, and omission of a primary antibody. No signal is present either in the testicular interstitium (I) or seminiferous tubules (St). (b) Control biopsy with full spermatogenesis. Within the seminiferous tubules (St), a lot of elongated spermatids (★) are visible. Between seminiferous tubules, a moderate presence of macrophages (CD68 positive cells, →) is notable. None of these cells are found within seminiferous tubules (Lc, cluster of Leydig cells; bv, blood vessels). (c) A biopsy from a patient with NOA. Seminiferous tubules (lined with Sertoli cells only or occasional spermatogonia) are surrounded by a loose connective tissue heavily loaded with CD68 positive cells (★). Some of these cells are found attached to the lamina propria, or invading the lumen of the tubules (→). (d) NOA patient. Seminiferous tubules (St) show a picture of Sertoli cells only syndrome. The testis interstitium is rich with CD68 positive cells (3,3′-diaminobenzidine (DAB), hemalaun counterstain, ×400, scale bar = 50 μm).
