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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics

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01.01.2009 | ANDROLOGY

Caspase-3 and VEGF immunopositivity in seminiferous tubule germ cells in cases of obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia in smokers versus non-smokers

verfasst von: Sevtap Kilic, Nese Lortlar, Yesim Bardakci, Erkan Ozdemir, Beril Yuksel, Ufuk Ozturk, Gurer Budak, Muammer Dogan

Erschienen in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics | Ausgabe 1/2009

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Abstract

Purpose

To investigate immunostaining pattern of caspase-3, an apoptosis marker, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an hypoxia marker in testis biopsy specimens collected either from smoking or non-smoking patients with azoospermia.

Methods

Testis biopsy specimens were obtained from thirty seven non-smoker and thirty eight smoker patients. Using immunochemistry technique, caspase-3 and VEGF were evaluated in all intratubular spermatogenic and interstitial Leydig cells.

Result(s)

Caspase-3 expression was significantly increased in germ cells in maturation arrest specimens in smoker azoospermic patients. No statistically significant difference was present between smokers and non-smokers for caspase-3 expression in Sertoli cell. However, the VEGF immunopositive Leydig cells were statistically higher in smokers. There were no differences between groups in terms of germ cell immunopositivity.

Conclusion

Our results support the hypothesis that increased apoptosis contributes significantly to impaired spermatogenesis. We conjecture that germ cell apoptosis may be augmented by hypoxic microenvironments and environmental toxicants in smoking azoospermic men.

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Titel: Caspase-3 and VEGF immunopositivity in seminiferous tubule germ cells in cases of obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia in smokers versus non-smokers
verfasst von: Sevtap Kilic
Nese Lortlar
Yesim Bardakci
Erkan Ozdemir
Beril Yuksel
Ufuk Ozturk
Gurer Budak
Muammer Dogan
Publikationsdatum: 01.01.2009
Verlag: Springer US
Erschienen in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics / Ausgabe 1/2009
Print ISSN: 1058-0468
Elektronische ISSN: 1573-7330
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-008-9286-2

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Caspase-3 and VEGF immunopositivity in seminiferous tubule germ cells in cases of obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia in smokers versus non-smokers