Abstract
Purpose: The Importance
and key role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway
in spermatogenesis is known. Abnormalities of this pathway
in Sertoli and germ cells leads to infertility. Leydig cells play an important
role in spermatogenesis and male reproduction. As of
now, exact position of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway disorders in the
tissue and possible involvement of Leydig cells has not been investigated.
Methods: Samples of our previous study were used for common Y
chromosome microdeletions screening and common CFTR gene mutations.1 β-catenin gene expression were evaluated and compared
between testicular tissue obtained by testicular sperm extraction (TESE) in two
groups of obstructive (n=10) and non-obstructive (n=10) azoospermic infertile
men. Location of β-catenin accumulation was detected by immunofluorescence
technic and quantitatively compared in the tissue followed by counterstaining
with anti-vimentin antibody. It was used as specific marker of leydig cells to
determine and confirm the cells in which this gathering was occurred.
Results: β-catenin
gene expression does not have a significant difference between the obstructive
azoospermia (0.998) and non-obstructive azoospermia group (0.891). β-catenin
was abnormally aggregated in leydig cell of non-obstructive azoospermic men.
Conclusion: Gathering β-catenin in cytoplasm of leydig cells can
disrupt spermatogenesis and cause infertility in men.