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  • Title: Proliferating cell nuclear antigen in testes of infertile men with varicocele--preliminary results of interrelationship with sperm count before and after varicocelectomy.
    Author: Salama N, Tsuji M, Tamura M, Kagawa S.
    Journal: Scand J Urol Nephrol; 2003; 37(1):48-52. PubMed ID: 12745744.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to assess germ cell kinetics and correlate them with sperm counts before and after varicocelectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-three testicular biopsy specimens were obtained from 47 patients with varicocele during varicocelectomy. Similar specimens were obtained from 8 fertile volunteers. All specimens were immunostained using anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen (anti-PCNA) antibody. PCNA expression was evaluated by assessing its staining intensity (SI) and labeling index (LI). RESULTS: The varicocele specimens revealed significantly lower SI and LI than the controls. There was a significant correlation between initial sperm concentration and LI but not SI. Coexistence of LI > or = 31 and preoperative sperm count > 1 million/ml correlated with a significant rise in the postoperative sperm count. CONCLUSIONS: PCNA is a useful molecular marker for assessing germ cell kinetics in varicocele patients. The decline in DNA synthesis, as suggested by the lower PCNA SI and LI in varicocele specimens, could be a reason for the disordered spermatogenesis in these patients. PCNA LI may also be considered as a beneficial clinical marker and may help to predict the surgical outcome after varicocele repair.
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