IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF EPIDERMAL GROWTH-FACTOR RECEPTORS IN HUMAN TESTIS FROM INFERTILE SUBJECTS

Objective: To investigate the immunolocalization of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in normal and pathological human testis by immunocytochemical technique. Design: Cytologic specimens were obtained by bilateral fine needle aspiration (FNA) of the testis and stained in May Grunwald-Giemsa for the cytologic analysis; immunolocalization of EGFR was analyzed on duplicate slides from each testis using two anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies and peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique. Setting: Infertility center of an academic unit. Patients: A total of 42 infertile patients, affected by various testicular diseases. The control group was made up of 10 normal sperm patients with autoimmune infertility and cytologic picture of normal spermatogenesis. Interventions: Exogenous FSH was administered 75 IU IM on alternate days for 3 months on 16 of the infertile patients who showed oligospermia and normal FSH plasma levels. Semen analysis and testicular FNA (and after cytologic and immunocytochemical studies) were repeated at 3 months of treatment. Main Outcome Measures: Luteinizing hormone and FSH plasma levels were determined by RIA methods; qualitative and quantitative parameters for the cytologic evaluation are reported in our previous works.