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Smooth muscle within incomplete obliterations of processus vaginalis lacks apoptotic nuclei
F Cahit Tanyel1, Sevim Erdem, Nebil Büyükpamukçu
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hacettepe University, Children's Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. ctanyel@gen.hun.edu.tr
Introduction:
Incomplete obliteration of processus vaginalis (PV) has been suggested to result from the persistence of smooth muscle, which should normally disappear after taking part in the descent of testis. Since apoptosis is the mechanism of disappearance, the presence or absence of apoptotic nuclei was evaluated within sacs that result from failed obliteration of PV.
Materials And Methods:
Twenty sacs associated with female inguinal hernia (n = 5), male inguinal hernia (n = 6), hydrocele (n = 5), hydrocele of the cord (n = 2), and undescended testis (n = 2) were evaluated. 10-microm sections were cut from the snap-frozen samples and stained for nuclear DNA fragmentation.
Results:
Apoptotic nuclei were detected within the vascular structures and mesothelium. However, none of the samples from different diagnostic sources have revealed any apoptotic nucleus within the smooth muscle component.
Conclusions:
While the vascular and mesothelial structures within the sacs reveal evidence of apoptosis, the smooth muscle component lacks apoptotic process. The failed apoptosis of smooth muscle may have a role in the persistence of PV.
Insights
Failed apoptosis of smooth muscle in the processus vaginalis (PV) may cause incomplete obliteration. This study found no apoptotic nuclei in smooth muscle, suggesting a role for failed apoptosis in PV persistence.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Developmental Biology
- Histology
Background:
- Incomplete obliteration of the processus vaginalis (PV) is linked to persistent smooth muscle.
- Apoptosis is the known mechanism for smooth muscle disappearance during testicular descent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the presence or absence of apoptotic nuclei in sacs resulting from failed PV obliteration.
- To investigate the role of apoptosis in the smooth muscle component of PV sacs.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 20 sacs from various conditions including inguinal hernia, hydrocele, and undescended testis.
- Sectioning of samples and staining for nuclear DNA fragmentation to detect apoptosis.
Main Results:
- Apoptotic nuclei were identified in vascular and mesothelial structures within the sacs.
- No apoptotic nuclei were found in the smooth muscle component of any sample.
Conclusions:
- Vascular and mesothelial tissues showed evidence of apoptosis.
- The absence of apoptosis in smooth muscle suggests its potential role in the persistence of the processus vaginalis.