[Methods and problems of spermatogonia counts in histological section preparations]

The number of spermatogonia of the testicles is an important criterion for the assessment of the probable fertility prognosis. The determination of the mean content of spermatogonia per cross section of one tubulus seminiferus is considered as a standardized procedure in clinical practice. Counts of spermatogonia in 4 micron thick section preparations bear great errors. Such determinations have to be done on extremely thick sections. In the present study, this is proved by the results of morphometric investigations on nuclei of spermatogonia. On 89 testicle preparations autoptically obtained from children, measurements of the diameter and calculations of the relations of the axes as well as of the volumes of the nuclei of the spermatogonia are carried out.