Immuno-histochemical localization of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in testicular cells of men with obstructive azoospermia

Obstructive azoospermy is one of the cause of infertility in men which is classified as post testicular disorders. According to previous studies patients with azoospermia show deferent levels of eNOS enzyme. The aim of this study was to assess the eNOS enzyme expression in patients with azoospermia. Method and Materials: In this case control study 10 patients with azoospermia and 7 healthy men referred to infertility center for treatment or diagnosis were studied. After filling consents the testicular biopsies were obtained and fixed Leydig and sertoli cells expressed eNOS، but germinal normal cells did not expressed eNOS enzyme. Interestingly eNOS enzyme expression in case group showed significant level of difference in comparison with those of control (P<0. 001). according to the results of this study sertoli cells and their intractions with germinal cells of seminiferous tubule may play an important role in sperm quality and a successful fertilization.