Evaluation of probable effects of cajal like cells in testis tissue on spermmaturation stages

Cajal cells are pacemaker cells regulating gastrointestinal tract motility. Cajal like cells are known to play a role in the regulation of motility in the urinary tract, too. The role of these cells in the testicular tissue is unclear. In this study we aimed to investigate changes in the number and distribution of Cajal like cells in testis biopsies obtained during testicular sperm extraction (TESE) in patients with nonobstructive azoospermia. In this study, 99 cases with nonobstructive azoospermia who underwent TESE were divided into subgroups (19 cases in hypospermatogenesis group, 40 cases in group of maturation arrest, 20 cases in group of Sertoli cell only syndrome, 20 cases in group of testicular atrophy and fibrosis) and 20 cases undergoing TESE due to obstructive azospermia formed the control group. The number and distribution of Cajal like cells were examined with immunohistochemical method using CD117. The number of Cajal like cells were higher in all study groups compared to the control group and this was statistically significant in maturation arrest and Sertoli cell only syndrome subgroups (p< 0.05). Distribution of Cajal like cells were similar to each other in all groups. The increased number of Cajal like cells in nonobstructive azoospermic patients suggest that these cells negatively effect spermatogenesis or they are independent of spermatogenesis. Electrophysiological and electron microscopic studies are needed to define morphology and function of Cajal like cells in the testis, better.