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Understanding spermatogenesis is a prerequisite for treatment

Adolf-Friedrich Holstein email, Wolfgang Schulze email and Michail Davidoff email

University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany

author email corresponding author email

Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 2003, 1:107doi:10.1186/1477-7827-1-107

Published: 14 November 2003

Abstract

Throughout spermatogenesis multiplication, maturation and differentiation of germ cells results in the formation of the male gamete. The understanding of spermatogenesis needs detailed informations about the organization of the germinal epithelium, the structure and function of different types of germ cells, endocrine and paracrine cells and mechanisms, intratesticular and extratesticular regulation of spermatogenesis. Normal germ cells must be discriminated from malformed, apoptotic and degenerating germ cells and tumor cells.

Identification of the border line between normal and disturbed spermatogenesis substantiate the diagnosis of impaired male fertility. The profound knowledge of the complicate process of spermatogenesis and all cells or cell systems involved with is the prerequisite to develop concepts for therapy of male infertility or to handle germ cells in the management of assisted reproduction.


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