The Ultrastructure of Sertoli Cells of Azoospermic Men

Abstract

The general infertility rate is around 10% in Vietnam whereas male infertility counts for half of it. 10% of infertile men are diagnosed with the absence of sperm in the semen (azoospermia). Sertoli cells play a major role in the development of healthy sperms. Researchers have known for many years that the Sertoli cell, the supporting element in the testis, regulates germ cell renewal and differentiation. Hence, research on structural changes, especially on the ultrastructure of Sertoli cells of azoospermic patients is essential for an improved diagnosis and treatment of infertile couples. Comparing sertoli cells extracted from patients without epididymal spermatozoa (group I) with cells of patients with epididymal spermatozoa (group II) showed that the cells ultrastructure of the first group differentiates essentially from the second. Sertoli cells extracted from group II patients have a typically shaped nucleus and are close to the sertoli cells of healthy patients in their general morphology. However, the Sertoli cells extracted from patients without epididymal spermatozoa have significantly smaller nuclei and an immature cytoplasm.