Spontaneous germ cell apoptosis in humans: evidence for ethnic differences in the susceptibility of germ cells to programmed cell death

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
A P HikimR S Swerdloff

Abstract

Spontaneous death of certain classes of germ cells has been shown to be a constant feature of normal spermatogenesis in a variety of mammalian species, including the human. Recent studies on various animal models have demonstrated that apoptosis is the underlying mechanism of germ cell death during normal spermatogenesis. Withdrawal of gonadotropins and/or testosterone further accelerates the germ cell apoptosis. We examined the involvement of apoptosis in the spontaneous loss of germ cells in men. Testicular samples obtained at autopsy from 5 Chinese and 9 non-Hispanic Caucasian men were analyzed. To identify individual germ cells undergoing apoptosis, we used a modified terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxy-UTP nick end labeling technique that detects germ cell apoptosis with high sensitivity and specificity. Testicular sections from all 14 subjects exhibited spontaneous occurrence of germ cell apoptosis involving spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids (apoptotic indexes, 1.6 +/- 0.4 2.5 +/- 0.6, and 5.5 +/- 1.2, respectively). The incidence of spermatogonial (2.8 +/- 0.8 vs. 1.0 +/- 0.2) as well as spermatid (9.3 +/- 2.1 vs. 8.4 +/- 0.9) apoptosis was higher in Chinese than in Caucasian men. A higher inc...Continue Reading

Citations

Feb 19, 2010·Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics·Paula Toni Del GiudiceAgnaldo Pereira Cedenho
Jul 24, 2004·Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics·Chung-Hsien LiuMaw-Sheng Lee
Feb 15, 2011·Asian Journal of Andrology·Niloufar IlaniChristina Wang
Sep 3, 2010·Current Opinion in Urology·Christina Wang, Ronald S Swerdloff
Nov 28, 2013·International Urology and Nephrology·Huan JiangYi-Qun Gu
Aug 2, 2001·APMIS : Acta Pathologica, Microbiologica, Et Immunologica Scandinavica·P JouannetJ Auger
Sep 8, 2009·The Journal of Reproduction and Development·Graciela M LozanoJosé A Pariente
Jan 6, 2000·American Journal of Reproductive Immunology : AJRI·J P XuT Mori
Feb 16, 2005·Apoptosis : an International Journal on Programmed Cell Death·J VillegasR Sanchez
Feb 3, 2007·Apoptosis : an International Journal on Programmed Cell Death·Tej K PareekRajan R Dighe
Sep 27, 2005·Contraception·Claudia GiampietriPaola De Cesaris
Aug 28, 2004·Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs·Melanie Walton, Richard A Anderson
May 16, 2009·Experimental Cell Research·Joshua D TompkinsChengtao Her
Oct 26, 2010·International Journal of Urology : Official Journal of the Japanese Urological Association·Seng Fah TongHui Meng Tan
Jun 4, 2011·Molecular Reproduction and Development·Vikas Kumar Roy, Amitabh Krishna
Dec 26, 2009·Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part B, Molecular and Developmental Evolution·Yan HeRongjia Zhou
Apr 24, 2002·Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology·Christophe StaubLarry Johnson
Jun 19, 2015·Frontiers of Medicine·Raafat HegazyEmad Salem
May 21, 2015·Pediatric and Developmental Pathology : the Official Journal of the Society for Pediatric Pathology and the Paediatric Pathology Society·Manuel NistalMiguel Reyes-Múgica
Dec 1, 2000·Baillière's Best Practice & Research. Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·C Oxynos, F C Wu
Aug 3, 2007·Biology of Reproduction·Oriane E ChausiauxNabeel A Affara
Dec 20, 2007·Growth Factors·Mahmoud HuleihelEitan Lunenfeld
Jun 9, 2000·International Journal of Andrology·M H Brinkworth
Jun 14, 2018·Andrologia·Nancy W MikhaelTaymour Mostafa
Aug 10, 2004·American Journal of Primatology·Tomoo EnomotoHiroshi Kusunoki
Jun 30, 2004·Human Fertility : Journal of the British Fertility Society·Denny SakkasDavide Bizzaro
May 3, 2005·Human Reproduction Update·Emre Seli, Denny Sakkas
Dec 6, 2002·Endocrine Reviews·R A Anderson, D T Baird
Nov 10, 2005·The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism·Christina WangRonald S Swerdloff
Mar 17, 2001·Endocrinology·Y LueR S Swerdloff
Apr 7, 2006·Human Reproduction Update·Kati L Matthiesson, Robert I McLachlan

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.