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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
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A Seminiferous Tubule Squash Technique for the Cytological Analysis of Spermatogenesis Using the Mouse Model
Published on: February 6, 2018
Apoptosis in non-obstructive azoospermia: pathway crosstalk, cell-type vulnerability, and translational implications.
Guoxiong Ma1, Jialiang Deng1, Xiaoqi Zhou1
1Meizhou Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Meizhou, Guangdong, China.
Frontiers in Endocrinology
|July 11, 2026
Summary
Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) involves absent sperm due to impaired spermatogenesis. Excessive apoptosis contributes to germ cell loss, but targeting its upstream causes may improve sperm retrieval in infertile men.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Male Infertility Research
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is a severe male infertility cause.
- NOA involves absent ejaculate sperm due to spermatogenesis failure.
- Apoptosis plays a dual role in spermatogenesis, being protective in normal conditions and detrimental in NOA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize evidence on apoptosis regulation in NOA.
- To explore the role of apoptosis in germ cell loss and testicular microenvironment collapse.
- To identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for NOA.
Main Methods:
- Narrative and critical review of existing literature.
- Focus on intrinsic mitochondrial and extrinsic death receptor pathways.
- Evaluation of upstream regulators and cell-type-specific vulnerabilities.
Main Results:
- Excessive or misdirected apoptosis contributes to NOA.
- Multiple factors like genetics, hormones, oxidative stress, and inflammation converge to influence apoptosis.
- Apoptosis-related biomarkers may predict sperm retrieval success.
Conclusions:
- NOA likely results from a multi-hit model involving genetic, endocrine, oxidative, epigenetic, inflammatory, and somatic factors.
- Targeting upstream stressors and the testicular microenvironment are potential therapeutic strategies.
- Further research requires validated biomarkers and patient stratification for clinical translation.
Keywords:
Sertoli cell-only syndromeapoptosisbiomarkersmaturation arrestnon-obstructive azoospermiaoxidative stresssperm retrievalspermatogenesisMore Related Videos
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