Expression of telomerase gene hTERT in testes of infertile male and its significance / 中华男科学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To study the expression and the significance of telomerase gene hTERT in testes of infertile male.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>By using in situ hybridization(ISH) techniques, the expression of telomerase gene hTERT mRNA in testes of 47 infertile male and 10 normal testicular tissues were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In male testes, there was a positive correlation between the expression of hTERT and the quantity and density of germ cells(spermatogonia, spermatocyte, spermatid). The expression of hTERT in some germinal cell of maturation arrest patients were not significantly different with those of normal.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Our results suggest that the deficiency of telomerase might be a factor for germinal cell maturation arrest and there might be some other etiological factors in these patients. Our study provides experimental groundwork for the gene therapy of male infertility.</p>