Sertoli cell-only syndrome
Encyclopedia
Sertoli cell-only syndrome (a.k.a. Del Castillo syndrome and germ cell aplasia ) is a disorder characterized by male sterility without sexual abnormality. It is the result of absent seminiferous tubules in the testes of germinal epithelium, while Sertoli cell
s are present.
(NOA) cases are managed by sperm retrieval through testicular sperm extraction (mTESE), micro-surgical testicular sperm extraction (mTESE) , or testicular biopsy. On retrieval of viable sperms this could be used in Intracytoplasmic Sperm injection ICSI
In 1979, Levin described germinal cell aplasia with focal spermatogenesis where a variable percentage of seminiferous tubules contain germ cells. It is important to discriminate between both in view of ICSI.
Sertoli cell
A Sertoli cell is a 'nurse' cell of the testes that is part of a seminiferous tubule.It is activated by follicle-stimulating hormone and has FSH-receptor on its membranes.-Functions:...
s are present.
Features
The Sertoli cell-only syndrome patients normally have normal secondary male features and have normal- or small-sized testes.Pathophysiology
Sertoli cell only syndrome is likely multifactorial, and characterized by severely reduced or absent spermatogenesis despite the presence of both Sertoli and Leydig cells. A substantial subset of men with this uncommon syndrome have microdeletions in the Yq11 region of the Y chromosome, an area known as the AZF (azoospermia factor) region. Generally speaking, testosterone and LH levels are normal, but due to lack of inhibin, FSH levels are increased.Treatment
Sertoli cell only syndrome is like other non-obstructive azoospermiaAzoospermia
Azoospermia is the medical condition of a male not having any measurable level of sperm in his semen. It is associated with very low levels of fertility or even sterility, but many forms are amenable to medical treatment...
(NOA) cases are managed by sperm retrieval through testicular sperm extraction (mTESE), micro-surgical testicular sperm extraction (mTESE) , or testicular biopsy. On retrieval of viable sperms this could be used in Intracytoplasmic Sperm injection ICSI
ICSI
The abbreviation ICSI may refer to:* Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, a medical technique used in assisted reproduction* International Computer Science Institute, a non-profit research lab in Berkeley, California...
In 1979, Levin described germinal cell aplasia with focal spermatogenesis where a variable percentage of seminiferous tubules contain germ cells. It is important to discriminate between both in view of ICSI.