Number and DNA Content of Hypertrophic Spermatogonia in Normal and Cryptorchid Human Testes

Abstract

The number and the DNA content of hypertrophic sperrnatogonia were studied in normal and cryptorchid testes. The number of hypertrophic sperrnatogonia in cryptorchid testes is higher than in control testes at the same age. This finding suggests alterations in the spermatogonia of cryptorchid males. The results show a polyploid DNA content in more than 80% of hypertrophic spermatogonia in both normal and cryptorchid testes. There were hypertrophic spermatogonia with a DNA content between 2c and 4c (0.5%) and between 4c and 8c (9%). These sperrnatogonia might be cells in the S phase of the cell cycle.