Cytology of the human seminiferous epithelium

The appearances in cytologic specimens of the principal cell types in the normal human seminiferous epithelium are described and illustrated. Sertoli cells, which are larger than spermatogenic cells, are characterized by a slightly basophilic, ill-defined cytoplasm of triangular, elongated or columnar shape; the cytoplasm may be vacuolated and may contain spermatozoa. The nuclei of Sertoli cells are round, with a uniformly finely granulated chromatin and a single nucleolus. Spermatogenic cells are round or oval and show scanty cytoplasm with deeper basophilia and well-defined cytoplasmic borders. Multinucleation is common in spermatogenic cells. The Sertoli cells constitute a very homogeneous cell population as compared to the spermatogenic cells, which show several distinct cell types (spermatogonia, primary and secondary spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa) whose nuclear structures depend on the stage of meiosis. Both cell types may occur as naked nuclei. Some problems of cell classification are discussed.