| Abstract | dc.description.abstract | The objective of this work was identify the presence of interstitial cells of Cajal, muscle cells, nerves and androgen
receptor positive cells in adult human testicle, using immunohistochemical detection for c-kit/CD-117, actin smooth muscle specific
(ASMS), neurofilament (N) and androgen receptor (AR), respectively. The samples were obtained from patients (n= 10) with diagnosis
of prostate cancer, with surgery of orchiectomy. Subsequently were processed by histology and for immunohistochemistry using specific
antibodies. It showed the presence of cells c-kit/CD-117, with diverse degrees of positivity, distributed mainly in the interstitial peritubular
area of the human testicle. The peritubular myoides cells were positive to the presence of the actin smooth muscle and androgen receptor.
The neurofilaments elements (+) only were observed in the vascular tunic. The specific immunohistochemistry describe the presence of
the interstitial cells of Cajal in human testicular interstitium, opening a new perspective for the functional interpretation of the testicular
cellularity and tubular motility. Possibly associated functionally to peribubulars cells of smooth muscle to regulate the mobility of the
seminiferous tubules, whose integration and function would be androgen dependent. The cells that express the c-kit receptor, were found
exclusively in the interstitial compartment. This cellular type in addition of the muscular cells of peritubules and the absence of nervous
fibers to the interior of the testicle, could be responsible for the regulation of tubular mobility, as it happens in the gastrointestinal
apparatus. | en |
