Expressions of cadherin molecules CDH18 and PCDH17 in human azoospermic testes / 中华男科学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expressions of cadherin molecules CDH18 and PCDH17 in normal and azoospermic human testes and their significance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We studied the routine pathological slices of normal and non-obstructive azoospermic human testis tissues for changes in the tight junction of Sertoli-germ cells, and identified the differential gene expression profiles of the normal and azoospermic testis tissues using cDNA microarrays containing multiple cadherin molecules. The results were confirmed by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Abnormal tight junction of the Sertoli-germ cells was observed in 37.5% of the azoospermic testis samples, and obvious changes were seen in the expressions of some cadherin molecules, with down-regulation of CDH18 and PCDH17.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Cadherin molecules such as CDH18 and PCDH17 may play a certain role in the development and progression of azoospermia, which might be related with the abnormal tight junction of the Sertoli-germ cells.</p>