Kinetics of meiosis in azoospermic males: a joint histological and cytological approach

Cytogenetic and Genome Research
Peter de BoerE R te Velde

Abstract

We have developed a protocol for the identification of aberrant chromosome behavior during human male meiosis up to metaphase of the secondary spermatocyte. Histological evaluation by the Johnsen score of a testicular biopsy was combined with immunofluorescence of first meiotic prophase spermatocytes, using antibodies against synaptonemal complex protein 3 (SYCP3) and the product of the ataxia telangiectasia and rad3-related gene (ATR). This combination enables accurate meiotic prophase substaging and the identification of pachytene spermatocytes with asynapsis. Furthermore, we also investigated the competence of late pachytene primary spermatocytes to complete the first meiotic division up to metaphase and of secondary spermatocytes to transform into metaphase by an in vitro challenge with okadaic acid (OA). We tested this protocol on five males with normal Johnsen scores that presented with obstructive azoospermia, five males with low Johnsen scores and non-obstructive azoospermia and six vasectomized control males of proven fertility and normal Johnsen scores. In all azoospermics, the profiling of meiotic prophase stages by immunofluorescence increases the resolving power of the Johnsen score. In both obstructive and non-obs...Continue Reading

Citations

Oct 23, 2008·Human Reproduction·G H WoldringhE F P M Schoenmakers
Aug 25, 2007·Genome Research·David HomolkaJiri Forejt
Feb 23, 2012·PloS One·Marieke de VriesPeter de Boer
Dec 15, 2010·Current Biology : CB·Attila Tóth, Rolf Jessberger
Apr 1, 2020·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Nathalia Lisboa GomesRod T Mitchell
Apr 2, 2005·Human Reproduction·M R GuichaouaJ M Grillo
Mar 21, 2019·European Journal of Endocrinology·Tulay GuranAbdullah Bereket

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