Expression of G-Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor () in Whole Testicular Tissue and Laser-Capture Microdissected Testicular Compartments of Men with Normal and Aberrant Spermatogenesis.

In this study, we retrospectively investigated expression in biopsies of azoospermic men with complete (obstructive azoospermia-OA) and aberrant spermatogenesis (nonobstructive azoospermia-NOA). Each biopsy was histologically evaluated with morphometry. The testicular expression was analyzed by the immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR technique in the whole testicular tissue and in seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells after laser-capture microdissection. In laser-microdissected compartments, we also analyzed transcriptional expression of selected Leydig (, HSD17B3, ) and Sertoli cell (, , ) function markers. Immunohistochemical staining revealed expression of in the cytoplasm of Leydig and Sertoli cells. Its stronger intensity was observed in Sertoli cells of NOA biopsies. The RT-PCR analysis of the mRNA level unequivocally showed its increased expression in seminiferous tubules (i.e., Sertoli cells), not Leydig cells in NOA biopsies. This increased expression correlated positively with the transcriptional level of -a marker of Sertoli cell immaturity, as well as FSH serum level in NOA but not in the OA group. Our results clearly demonstrate altered expression in testes with primary spermatogenic impairment that might be related to Sertoli cell maturity/function.