Study of Testicular Structure in Fetuses with Prune Belly Syndrome. (21st May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Favorito, Luciano A.; Costa, Suelen F.; Costa, Waldemar S.; Vieiralves, Rodrigo; Bernardo, Fabio O.; Sampaio, Francisco J. B.
• Other Names: Gyftopoulos Kostis Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Advances in urology. Volume 2017(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-05-21
• Subjects: Urology -- Periodicals; 616.6005
• DOI: 10.1155/2017/3254980
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1687-6369

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose . To compare the structure of the testis in fetuses with prune belly syndrome (PBS) to normal controls. Materials and Methods . We studied 6 testes obtained from 3 fetuses with PBS and 14 testes from 7 male fetuses. The testicular specimens were cut into 5- μ m thick sections and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE), to observe the seminiferous tubules; Weigert's solution to observe elastic fibers; and picrosirius red to observe collagen. The images were captured with an Olympus BX51 microscope and Olympus DP70 camera. The stereological analysis was done with the Image Pro and Image J programs. Means were statistically compared using the Mann–Whitney U test (p < 0.005 ). Results . Quantitative analysis documented no differences (p = 0.4 ) in number of seminiferous tubules (ST) in PBS testes (mean = 8.87%, S D = 1.59 ), when compared to the control (mean = 11.4%, S D = 2.99 ) and no differences (p = 0.8 ) in diameter of ST in PBS testes (mean = 52.85 μ m, S D = 1.58 ) when compared to the control group (mean = 53.17 μ m, S D = 1.55 ), but we did observe a lower number (p = 0.0002 ) of Leydig cells in the PBS testes (mean = 67.03% and S D = 3.697 ) when compared to the control group (mean = 90.1% and S D = 2.986 ). Conclusions . Our study showed a lower concentration of Leydig cells in the triad syndrome fetuses.