Author/Authors :
Salvatore, Arena Unit of Pediatric Surgery - Department of Human Pathology of Adult and Childhood “Gaetano Barresi” - University of Messina - Messina, Italy , Pietro, Impellizzeri Unit of Pediatric Surgery - Department of Human Pathology of Adult and Childhood “Gaetano Barresi” - University of Messina - Messina, Italy , Carmine, Fazzari Department of Human Pathology - Ospedale Umberto I - Siracusa, Italy , Flora Maria, Peri Unit of Pediatric Surgery - Department of Human Pathology of Adult and Childhood “Gaetano Barresi” - University of Messina - Messina, Italy , Enrica, Antonelli Unit of Pediatric Surgery - Department of Human Pathology of Adult and Childhood “Gaetano Barresi” - University of Messina - Messina, Italy , Ugo, Calabrese Unit of Pediatric Surgery - Department of Human Pathology of Adult and Childhood “Gaetano Barresi” - University of Messina - Messina, Italy , Antonio, Centorrino Unit of Pediatric Surgery - Department of Human Pathology of Adult and Childhood “Gaetano Barresi” - University of Messina - Messina, Italy , Angela, Alibrandi Department of Economics - Unit of Statistical and Mathematical Sciences - University of Messina - Messina, Italy , Carmelo, Romeo Unit of Pediatric Surgery - Department of Human Pathology of Adult and Childhood “Gaetano Barresi” - University of Messina - Messina, Italy
Abstract :
Purpose: Stem cell factor receptor (c-kit) plays a crucial role in regulating proliferation and survival of germ cells.
The aim of this study was to find the correlation between the number of c-kit positive germ cells, testicular asymmetry and histological grade in varicocele affected testis samples of adolescents.
Materials and Methods: Twenty testicular biopsy samples of adolescents affected by varicocele and eight normal control testes were included. The relationship between percentage of testicular asymmetry, number of tubular c-kit positive germ cells and severity of spermatogenic failure was assessed.
Results: The mean (SD; median) histological grade for spermatogenic failure in controls was 1.37(0.52; 1), while
in the varicocele group, it was 2.70(1.08; 3) (P = .0052). Mean(SD; median) number c-kit positive germ cells in the
control group were 20.1(2.52; 20), while in the varicocele group it was 12.35(7.16; 12.5) (P = .0059). Spearman
test documented a significant positive correlation between percentage of hypotrophy and histological grade of
spermatogenic failure (r = 0.5544 , 95% CI: 0.1345 to 0.8055, P = .0112) but a negative correlation with the number
of c-kit positive cells (r = - 0.5871, 95% CI: - 0.8219 to -0.1817, P = .0065). Moreover, a significant negative
correlation was found between grade of histological changes and number of c-kit positive germ cells (P < .0001).
Conclusion: A significant correlation between hypotrophy, histological lesions and c-kit positive germ cells exists
in varicocele testes. This finding suggests a possible role for c-kit in the pathogenesis of germ cell impairment in
varicocele. Histological changes and lack of c-kit germ cells were also noted in testes not displaying hypotrophy.
We believe that reliable markers should be found as better predictors of testicular function in adolescent with varicocele.
Keywords :
c-kit , histology , male infertility , testicular hypotrophy , varicocele
