Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of Sertoli cells in androgen insensitivity

Abstract

The ultrastructure of a perfusion-fixed gonad in a case of androgen insensitivity was studied using thin sections and freeze-fracture replicas. The distribution and arrangement of intermediate filaments in Sertoli cells was visualized immunohistochemically using an antibody against vimentin. Leydig cells lacked Reinke crystals, but contained all of the cytoplasmic organelles involved in steroid synthesis and additionally several lysosomes. The basement membrane and the basal lamina of the testicular tubules were considerably thickened. The testicular tubules consisted of gonocytes and Sertoli cells which had an immature nuclear structure, incomplete development of intercellular junctions and a primitive distribution pattern of intermediate cytoplasmic filaments. The previously reported differences in electron density of Sertoli cell cytoplasm are a non-specific feature without significance to Sertoli cell maturation.

Intermediate filaments in the Sertoli cells of the ageing human testis

“…An increase in Sertoli cell vimentin immunolabelling, although without quantitative demonstration, has also been reported in Klinefelter's syndrome [19], varicocele [29], postpubertal cryptorchidism after antiandrogen administration, and androgen insensitivity syndrome [4,5], in the vicinity of testicular tumours [6] and in seminiferous tubule atrophy [5]. Re-expression of keratins in Sertoli cells has been observed in several types of testicular tumours, including germ cell tumours [20] and malignant Sertoli cell tumour [21], in the vicinity of testicular tumours [1,27], in cryptorchid testes [27], in the testes of infertile men [7], and in atrophic human testes [33].…”

The Sertoli Cell – A Hormonal Target and ‘Super’ Nurse for Germ Cells That Determines Testicular Size

“…However, even though androgenic action on these cells modulates their gene expression and proliferation [40, 42], it has still not been conclusively established that such action is crucial to early differentiation of the Sertoli cell [40]. There are several case reports on patients with null mutations of AR and Sertoli cell tumors (though the most common histological form of tumor is seminoma) [43] and even in the absence of tumor tissue the Sertoli cells from these patients have been described as having immature features [44]. …”

Leydig cell clustering and Reinke crystal distribution in relation to hormonal function in adult patients with testicular dysgenesis syndrome (TDS) including cryptorchidism

“…Furthermore, absence of RCs in patients with androgen insensitivity syndrome points to other explanations, given that the androgen production is not compromised in these patients. 18,33 Some researchers have suggested that RCs are composed of proteins, as they can be identified by some antibodies, e.g. most recently, the reported reaction with 3β-HSD, but the tendency of unspecific positive reactions in immunohistochemistry is well known.…”

“…16 RCs have been reported to be absent in case studies of patients with Down's syndrome, androgen insensitivity syndrome and 17β-HSD deficiency. [17][18][19] In LC tumours, which comprise 1-3% of all testicular neoplasms, crystals have been reported in about one third of the benign cases but are apparently lacking in most malignant LC tumours, although some negative findings may be due to tissue fixation. 16,[20][21][22] To shed light on the morphology and function of LCs in TDS patients, we set up a retrospective study of a series of patients with infertility, with or without self-reported cryptorchidism, and controls with normal LC-histology and -function.…”