Expression of ciliated bronchial epithelium 1 during human spermatogenesis.

OBJECTIVE

To define the precise cellular localization of ciliated bronchial epithelium 1 (CBE1) in the human testis and test its relationship to impaired spermatogenesis.

DESIGN

Gene expression analysis, and histologic and immunohistochemical evaluation.

SETTING

University research laboratories and andrologic outpatient clinic.

PATIENT(S): Forty-three human testicular biopsies: 12 biopsies showing normal spermatogenesis (NSP), 8 with maturation arrest at level of spermatocytes (STA), 8 with maturation arrest at level of spermatids (SDA), 4 with scattered elongating spermatids, and 12 with Sertoli cell-only syndrome, with an additional 5 semen samples from healthy donors.

INTERVENTION(S): None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Evaluation of CBE1 expression in normal as well as impaired spermatogenesis on mRNA (quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization) and protein level (immunohistochemistry, Western blot analysis).

RESULT(S): In normal spermatogenesis, CBE1 mRNA was expressed in late pachytene spermatocytes, and the protein was localized within the flagellum of elongating spermatids from stage V up to the spermiation in stage II. Immunoelectron microscopy showed CBE1 clearly associated with microtubules at the manchette, the head-tail coupling apparatus, and the flagellum, but the protein was absent in spermatozoa. Compared with normal spermatogenesis, CBE1 mRNA was statistically significantly reduced in samples with a maturation arrest at the level of round spermatids and primary spermatocytes, and was absent in samples showing Sertoli cell-only syndrome. CBE1 protein was completely missing in SDA samples showing few elongating spermatids.

CONCLUSION(S): Our data strongly suggest an influence of CBE1 in ciliogenesis in spermatids due to the localization at the microtubules of the elongating spermatids, indicating a role in the intramanchette and/or intraflagellar transport mechanism. The absence of CBE1 in spermatozoa suggests that CBE1 is important for the spermatid development but not for the maintenance of mature spermatozoa as a component of the flagellum.