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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

  • ANDROLOGY
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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dr. Zekai Tahir BURAK Women Health, Education and Research Hospital, Department of Reproductive Endocrinology and IVF, Cebeci, Ankara, Turkey

    Sevtap Kilic, Beril Yuksel & Muammer Dogan

  2. Gazi University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Besevler, Ankara, Turkey

    Nese Lortlar

  3. Gazi University, NanoMedicine Research Laboratory, Golbasi, Ankara, Turkey

    Nese Lortlar & Gurer Budak

  4. Dr. Zekai Tahir BURAK Women Health, Education and Research Hospital, Department of Reproductive Endocrinology and IVF, Laboratory of ART and Embryology, Cebeci, Ankara, Turkey

    Yesim Bardakci

  5. Dr. Zekai Tahir BURAK Women Health, Education and Research Hospital, Department of Reproductive Endocrinology and IVF and Urology, Cebeci, Ankara, Turkey

    Erkan Ozdemir & Ufuk Ozturk

  6. Suleymanbey sk. 29/10, Maltepe, 06570, Ankara, Turkey

    Sevtap Kilic

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  1. Sevtap Kilic
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The evaluation of caspase-3 and VEGF immunopositivity in smoking patients with azoospermia

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Kilic, S., Lortlar, N., Bardakci, Y. et al. Caspase-3 and VEGF immunopositivity in seminiferous tubule germ cells in cases of obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia in smokers versus non-smokers. J Assist Reprod Genet 26, 57–63 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-008-9286-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-008-9286-2

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