Partial wave in human seminiferous tubules appears to be a random occurrence

Serial cross sections were evaluated to determine the architectural arrangement of stages among men with varied spermatogenic efficiencies. Using autopsy specimens, glutaraldehyde-perfused testes from men with low or high daily sperm production per g parenchyma were compared. Lobes of testicular parenchyma were teased from connective tissue septa, further fixed in osmium, and embedded such that the straight portions of tubules could be sectioned perpendicularly. Unstained 22 microns serial sections were sectioned optically with Nomarski optics. Paired photomicrographs of each tubular cross section were taken under a 40 x objective, and stages of the spermatogenic cycle were mapped by two observers using Clermont's criteria (Clermont, 1963). For comparison, numbers (1-6) were assigned randomly to the stages, the stages were plotted in two dimensions (length and circumference of tubule) as if the tubule were cut down its length and laid flat, and geometric centers were plotted for each stage. Geometric centers consecutive and/or non-consecutive stages appeared to form an angle down the length of the tubule. When considering helical patterns along the tubule, men with neither low nor high spermatogenic efficiency had a complete wave composed of all six consecutive stages. The helical pattern of geometric centers indicated only 2-4 consecutive stages when the actual values of stages were used or when random numbers were substituted for actual numerical value of stages. The number of consecutive stages in tubules from these men was not different from consecutiveness found when stages were assigned random numbers. Given that no complete wave was found, regardless of spermatogenic efficiency, and that the degree of consecutiveness of stages down a helical pattern in human seminiferous tubules could be generated from random numbers, the arrangement of stages in human seminiferous tubules may simply be a random occurrence.