Evaluation of Number and Site of Mast Cells In Human Testicular Tissue In Infertile Men

The exact places of mast cells in human testicular tissue remains unclear. This study was conducted to show places of mast cell accumulation and relation between number of mast cell and infertility in non- obstructive azoospermia patients. 12 biopsies from the testis tissues of non obstructive azoospermia patients referred to Royan institue (patient group) and 5 biopsies from persons with prostatic cancer (control group) were used in this study. Light and electron microscopic studies were performed on processed tissues. 1% toluidine blue staining were used for counting the number of mast cells. Thickening of lamina properia and basement membrane of seminiferous tubule and fibrosis in interstitial tissue was observed in patient group. The total number of mast cells in patients group were significantly increased in comparison to control group. Results of this study revealed fibrosis in interstitial and peritubular tissues of patient group. Observed fibrotic changes in testicular tissues of patient group resulted from the increased number of mast cells.