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Further histochemical studies on the testes of infertile men

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Abstract

Enzyme-histochemical investigations performed on testicular biopsies of 20 patients with various testicular disorders gave the following results:

  1. 1.

    Severe hypospermatogenesis and spermatogenetic arrest were accompanied

  2. 2.

    In the cases of germinal aplasia no alkaline phosphatase activity was present in the Sertoli cells.

  3. 3.

    The other enzymes investigated were not noticeably changed in comparison with the control group.

  4. 4.

    The number of Leydig cells seemed to be increased in some cases and they appeared as clusters between the atrophic tubules. There was no reduction of enzyme activity within these cells.

Possible pathogenetic mechanisms are discussed.

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Breitenecker, G., Ludvik, W. & Lunglmayr, G. Further histochemical studies on the testes of infertile men. International Urology and Nephrology 3, 315–325 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02081770

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02081770

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