Autophagy is increased in cryptorchid testis resulting in abnormal spermatozoa.
Asian J Androl
; 21(6): 570-576, 2019.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31031333
ABSTRACT
Autophagy is involved in spermatogenesis by regulating germ cell maturation. This catabolic process increases with hyperthermic conditions to prevent the accumulation of damaged organelles. Cryptorchidism is associated with impairment of germ cell maturation revealed by the presence of immature forms of sperm cells in ejaculates. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the status of autophagy in sperm cells from cryptorchid patients. Semen samples of cryptorchid patients and normozoospermic controls were analyzed by immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy. Autophagy proteins, autophagy-related protein 9 (ATG9) and microtubule-associated protein, 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3) were localized by immunocytochemistry on the acrosome and on the equatorial segment of sperm cells. LC3 was also detected in the midpiece of cryptorchid sperm tail. Autophagy substrate p62 protein was present in the acrosome and in the postequatorial segment of sperm in control samples, but not in the cryptorchid ones. Transmission electron microscopy revealed double-membrane-limited autophagosomes in postequatorial part of spermatozoa head and midpiece in cryptorchid samples. Partly degraded mitochondria were frequently discerned in autophagic vacuoles. In conclusion, autophagy is increased in sperm cells from patients with cryptorchid history comparatively to control. Our work provides insights into the role of autophagy in the maturation and survival of human male gametes in pathological conditions. Thus, regulating autophagy could represent a potential way to improve sperm quality in cryptorchid men.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Autofagia
/
Criptorquidismo
/
Teratozoospermia
Tipo de estudio:
Observational_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Adult
/
Humans
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Asian J Androl
Asunto de la revista:
MEDICINA REPRODUTIVA
/
UROLOGIA
Año:
2019
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Francia
Pais de publicación:
CHINA
/
CN
/
REPUBLIC OF CHINA