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This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 71/5/1517    most recent biolreprod.104.031062v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Neubauer, K. Articles by Pukazhenthi, B. S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Neubauer, K. Articles by Pukazhenthi, B. S. Agricola Articles by Neubauer, K. Articles by Pukazhenthi, B. S.

Quantity Rather Than Quality in Teratospermic Males: A Histomorphometric and Flow Cytometric Evaluation of Spermatogenesis in the Domestic Cat (Felis catus)¹

Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research,³ D-10252 Berlin, Germany Smithsonian's National Zoological Park,⁴ Conservation and Research Center, Front Royal, Virginia 22630

Teratozoospermia (ejaculation of <40% morphologically normal sperm) commonly occurs within the Felidae, including certain domestic cats, but the cellular and molecular mechanisms that give rise to this phenomenon remain unknown. This study quantified spermatogenesis to identify differential dysfunctions in teratospermic versus normospermic (>60% normal sperm/ejaculate) domestic cats. Sperm used were from electroejaculates and cauda epididymides. Testes from 10 normo- and 10 teratospermic males were obtained by castration and then evaluated by histomorphometry, flow cytometry, and testicular testosterone enzyme immunoassay. Some morphometric traits (tubular diameter, epithelium height, interstitial area, number of Leydig cells, and blood vessels per cross-section) as well as testicular testosterone concentrations were similar between groups, but testicular volume was greater in teratospermic males. Stage frequencies differed also between both cat populations, suggesting possible dysfunctions in spermiation. Quantification of cell populations in most frequent stages revealed more spermatogenic cells and fewer Sertoli cells per tubule cross-section as well as per tissue unit in teratospermic donors. Hence, the ratio of spermatogenic cells per Sertoli cell was elevated in the teratospermic cat. DNA flow cytometry confirmed higher total spermatogenic and meiotic transformations in teratospermic males. In summary, compared with normospermic counterparts, teratospermic cats have a higher sperm output achieved by more sperm-producing tissue, more germ cells per Sertoli cell, and reduced germ cell loss during spermatogenesis. Gains in sperm quantity are produced at the expense of sperm quality.

¹ Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (grant Je 163/4-1), the National Institutes of Health (K01 RR00135), and Friends of the National Zoo.

² Correspondence: Katrin Neubauer, Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Postfach 601103, D-10252 Berlin, Germany. FAX: ++49 30 5126104; neubauer{at}izw-berlin.de

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