HISTOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON THE ENZYMES OF THE TESTES IN INFERTILE MEN

Abstract

The investigation of enzymatic distribution of the testes in the infertile male was performed by means of the histochemical stain method in alkaline, acid phosphatase and succinic dehydrogenase. One piece of the tissue obtained by testicular biopsy was prepared by the ordinary hematoxylin-eosin stain method. The other piece was immediately frozen with carbonic acid gas to quick refrigeration. The cryostat sections cut 15μ in thickness were stained by the method described by Burstone (alkaline, acid phosphatase) and Nachlas et al. (succinic dehydrogenase) respectively.
The results are as follows:
1) Normal spermatogenesis
The activity of alkaline phosphatase is remarkably observed in the wall of capillary vessels and periphery of the seminiferous tubules, and that of acid phosphatase is distinct in the periphery of the seminiferous tubules. On the other hand, the localization of succinic dehydrogenase is similarly observed both in the seminiferous tubules and in the interstitial cells.
2) Germinal aplasia
The activity of alkaline phosphatase is observed only in the wall of capillary vessels in the interstitium. The activity of acid phosphatase, however, is prominent both in the Sertoli cells and in the interstitial cells.
3) Germinal arrest and hypospermatogenesis
The distribution of these phosphatase activity is irregularly observed in various degrees in the seminiferous tubules.
4) The activity and the localization of the three kinds of enzymes in the testicular tissue are not influenced by administration of T. D. G. (Gonasteron).