Cytological Studies on Human Spermatogenic and Sustentacular (Sertoli) Cells
1962 Volume 38 Issue 1 Pages 39-50
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1962 Volume 38 Issue 1 Pages 39-50
The following conclusion was drown through cytological study on sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells of human testes of embryos from 4 to 10 months old, of boys and adults from 10 to 73 years old.
1) At the period of embryo, sertoli cell does not show ir r e gular form yet, but its whole figure is comparatively clearly seen. Nucleus is elliptical, with uneven nuclear membrane, and there is one or two nucleoli in the nucleus. Tubuli seminiferi contori are filled with primary spermatocytes, with no lumen remained. Occasional giant cells which are considered to be primary spermatocytes are recognized in the lumen.
2) Testis tissue of 10 years old is similar in the histological aspect to that of embryo, as regard to the feature of the lumen and to the appearance of giant primary spermatocytes.
3) Osminophilic granules can be found in sertoli cells as minute granules in embryos more than 5 months old. Though, they disappear temporarily at the age of 10 years, again they come out at the age of 14 years, and hereafter, they increase in number and grow into various sizes with age. Also, as to lipoid granules in sertoli cells of adults, they show positive reaction to the A s c hbel et Se I i g m a n's method. Accordingly they are considered to be close ly related to hormone secretion of testis.
4) In embryos, minute granules which are considered to be glycogen exist in the giant cell which is supposed to be a primary spermatocyte. And, in the specimens of 14 and 17 years old, the increase of the granules of various sizes were observed in the spermatogenic and sertoil cells, which showed the PAS reaction all over the cytoplasm in diffuse pattern and increased in number with age.
As these granules resisted against the saliva digestion, it is considered that they are not mere glycogen, but some complicated compound combined with albumin or other substances, and that they exist and are preserved as source of energy necessary to division of spermatogenic cells at the process of sperm formation.
