Expression of connexin 43 in human testis

In order to further characterize the Sertoli cell state of differentiation, we investigated the expression of connexin 43 (cx43) protein in the testis of adult men both with normal spermatogenesis and associated with spermatogenic impairment, since cx43 is first expressed during puberty. Cx43 protei...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Histochemistry and cell biology 1999-09, Vol.112 (3), p.215-220
Main Authors: Steger, K, Tetens, F, Bergmann, M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Antibodies, Monoclonal - immunology
Cell differentiation
Connexin 43
Connexin 43 - immunology
Connexin 43 - metabolism
Epithelium
Humans
Immunoenzyme Techniques
Immunoreactivity
Leydig cells
Male
Middle Aged
Puberty
Sertoli cells
Spermatids
Spermatocytes
Spermatocytes - cytology
Spermatocytes - metabolism
Spermatogenesis
Spermatogenesis - physiology
Spermatogonia
Testes
Testis - cytology
Testis - metabolism
Tubules
Western blotting
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Summary:In order to further characterize the Sertoli cell state of differentiation, we investigated the expression of connexin 43 (cx43) protein in the testis of adult men both with normal spermatogenesis and associated with spermatogenic impairment, since cx43 is first expressed during puberty. Cx43 protein was found as a single 43-kDa band on western blots of extracts of normal human testicular material. Cx43 immunoreactivity was generally present between Leydig cells. Within the normal seminiferous epithelium cx43 immunoreactivity was localized between adjacent Sertoli cells, except at stages II and III of the seminiferous epithelial cycle when primary spermatocytes cross from the basal to the adluminal compartment suggesting a stage-dependent Sertoli cell function. While testes with hypospermatogenesis and spermatogenic arrest at the level of round spermatids or spermatocytes revealed a staining pattern similar to that of normal adult testis, the seminiferous tubules showing spermatogenic arrest at the level of spermatogonia and Sertoli-cell-only syndrome were completely immunonegative. We therefore assume that severe spermatogenic impairment is associated with a population of Sertoli cells exhibiting a stage of differentiation deficiency.
ISSN:0948-6143
1432-119X
DOI:10.1007/s004180050409