Histopathological diagnosis of hypercurved seminiferous tubules

A simple method for the recognition of hypercurvature of the seminiferous tubules in otherwise normal biopsies from infertile males consists of the recognition of characteristic 'figure 8' profiles of sectioned seminiferous tubules. Nineteen cases of morphometrically verified hypercurvature and 24 controls were tested in order to determine the validity of the method, which showed virtually no overlap in the two groups when at least four x 100 fields were assessed for 'figure 8' and grazing profiles. A recommended diagnostic approach, with cautions concerning pitfalls, is presented, and incidence, pathogenesis, and potential treatment are briefly discussed.