Microscopic evaluation of the testis in azoospermic patients with reference to androgen receptors in sertoli cells

Background: The reproductive ability of sexually mature males is dependent on the capacity of the testes tubules to produce large numbers of highly viable sperms and the interstitial cells to produce adequate levels of androgens to ensure maturation of the reproductive system. Azoospermia, defined as the complete absence of spermatozoa in the ejaculate, invariably results in infertility but does not necessarily imply sterility. It is identified in approximately 1% of all men and in 10 to 15% of infertile males

Patients and methods: The use of biopsies had been approved by the ethics committee of the Faculty of Medicine, Al Azhar University. All testicular biopsies were taken after written informed consent at the Department of Clinical Andrology, International Islamic Center for Population and Research Studies. Eleven patients with idiopathic infertility, were enrolled in this study and were assessed and diagnosed by a complete examination and specific investigations

Results: This study included 11 patients. They were divided into two groups obstructive azoospermia [OA] and Non-obstructive azoospermia. Non-obstructive azoospermia is subdivided into 4 groups: Early maturation arrest, late maturation arrest, Sertoli cell only [Sco] and Klienfilter syndrome

Conclusion: Spermatogenesis and maintenance of reproductive functions are controlled by androgens which are steroid hormones. Androgens exert most of their effects through genomic actions, which involve their binding to the androgen receptor [AR].AR plays important roles during later stages of sperm formation and maturation by influencing the four major cell types: Sertoli, Leydig, peritubularmyoid, and germ cells. Except for maturation arrest non-obstructive azoospermia, AR positive staining was not detected in germ cells. The highest number of Sertoli cell androgen receptors was in sections of testis from obstructive azoospermia and non- obstructive late maturation arrest patients, Testicular sections from patients with Klinefelter syndrome presented the lowest number of androgen receptor positive cells. It was concluded that the present study revealed that demonstration of androgen receptors in testicular sections is a good indicator of spermatogenic activity. Such information is valuable for the decision of obtaining spermatozoa from the testis for ICSI

Effects of postnatal exposure to static magnetic field on the development of the cerebellar granule cells

Many studies were performed to evaluate the effects of static magnetic fields [SMFs] on the processes of proliferation and migration of cerebellar cells to their final postnatal destinations. Granule cells are the most abundant interneurons in the cerebellum. Progenitors of these neurons actively proliferate during the first 2 postnatal weeks in external granular layer [EGL]. The granule cells in the EGL migrate inwards to form the internal granular layer [IGL], and the EGL disappears. So the postnatal development of the cerebellum depends on their postnatal proliferation and migration which is vulnerable to any micro-environmental insult. to evaluated the light and electron microscopic changes occurred to the cerebellar granule cells of the pups after postnatal exposure to SMF [20 mT]. Postnatal exposure to SMFs showed that there was a significant thinning in the EGL at the beginning of the study at postnatal thy 4, this significant decrease in thickness progressed in the first week. At two weeks when normally the EGL starts to disappear, it showed persistent increase in its thickness indicating delayed migration. At all ages of exposed group [P], EGL contained many apoptotic cells and some degenerated cells. IGL showed significant decrease in its cellular density till the postnatal day 15 concomitant with the period of delayed migration in the EGL. At the postnatal days 22, the cells in IGL began to regain its near normal cellular density but the IGL showed disarrangement of its crowded granule cells with absence of appearance of regular glomeruli among them with appearance of some degenerated cells among the granule cells. Many cells of the IGL also showed areas of cytoplasmic vacuolation. Postnatal exposure to SMFs produces some delay in the development and appearance of more apoptotic cells. But some of these changes in different stages of the postnatal development of the cerebellar cortex began to be less apparent with advancement of age

Effects of prenatal exposure to static magnetic field on the development of the cerebellar purkinje cells

Many studies were performed to evaluate the effects of static magnetic fields [SMFs] on the processes of proliferation and migration of cerebellar cells to their final postnatal destinations. Purkinje cell [PC] as one of the most critical station for all afferent input to the cerebellum as well as the major output from the cerebellum either direct or indirect through the other cerebellar neurons and development of Purkinje cells depends on their postnatal migration which is vulnerable to any micro-environmental insult. To evaluate the light and electron microscopic changes occurred to the cerebellar PCs of the pups after prenatal exposure to SMF [20 mT]. Prenatal exposure showed a significant decrease in the number of PCs as compared with that number in the control group throughout the time of study with appearance of some pathological changes at the cellular level obvious from the postnatal day 4 till the end of the study, as there were many apoptotic cells, few cells degenerated with astrocytosis near the Purkinje cells with large cytoplasmic vacuoles inside the cells and many cells became atrophied cells. The prenatal exposure to static magnetic field led to decrease ability of the proliferation, delay in the development and appearance of some degenerative changes in different stages of the postnatal development of the cerebellar cortex and these changes persisted till the adult life

Aminoglycoside ototoxicity and antioxidant protection

Sensory hair cells are mechanotransducers of the inner ear that are essential for hearing. The normal function and integrity of hair cells may be altered by endogenous factors such as liberation of free radicals during normal cellular functions or environmental factors as ototoxic drugs. Aminoglycosides are commonly used antibiotics combination with high efficacy and low cost, they are the antibiotics of choice in developing countries. Although highly efficacious, their use is limited due to their severe toxicity to the inner ear. It is well established that reactive oxygen species are generated in hair cells exposed to aminoglycoside. So, enhancing antioxidant levels promotes hair cell survival while preserving function. Thirty healthy adult guinea pigs used in this study were divided into three groups, control, and tow experimental groups. Group [A] animals received antioxidant treatment one week prior to and concomitant with one week of gentamicine treatment. Group [B] animals received gentamicine by intramuscular injection for one week and control group received oral and intramuscular saline instead of drugs. A joined formula of dietary antioxidants was used. Mitochondrial activity was used as an index for cellular vitality and activity in organ of Corti cells. There was a highly significant [p<0.0001] mitochondrial activity in organ of Corti cells with group A animals. On the other hand mitochondria1 activity was significantly lower in organ of Corti cells of group B animals [p> 0.05] compared to group A and control group. In conclusion the results of this study suggest that, the introduction of free radical scavengers might help to ameliorate and protect against aminoglycoside ototoxicity, as free radicals play an important role in gentamicine ototoxicity