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Biomedical subjects

E Franchi

Publications and source records attributed to E Franchi.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

Permeability to lanthanum of blood testis barrier in human germinal aplasia.

The permeability of Sertoli tight junctions to lanthanum administrated during fixation is demonstrated in biopsies of patients with partial germinal aplasia. In freeze-fracture replicas the number of fibrils is not significantly different from the data obtained in normal testis. Thus, in these pathological conditions junctional permeability is not related solely to the complexity of the network revealed by freeze-fracture.

Blood-Testis Barrier↗
PubMed1981

Morphological changes of Leydig cells in men with altered plasma testosterone and gonadotropin levels.

The ultrastructural features of Leydig cells in patients with high serum LH and low serum testosterone are described. The results are compared with the structure of Leydig cells in normal conditions and after treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) according to data existing in the literature. The continuous overstimulation of Leydig cells by higher levels of LH apparently induces significant modifications in many of the morphological elements characteristic of these cells. However, these differences were not constantly present in the cases observed. The abundance and the large size of mitochondria were the only common characteristics in the patients studied.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Ultrastructure of spermiogenesis in men with congenital absence of the vasa deferentia.

Spermiogenesis has been investigated in four cases of agenesia of vasa deferentia. During acrosome formation various anomalies gave rise to late spermatids with deformed heads. Chromatin condensation proceeded normally, but completion of this process appeared to be delayed. Redundant nuclear membranes frequently persisted at the basal region of the nuclei in mature spermatozoa, which occupied niches within Sertoli cells, as the tubules had no lumen. Flagellar structure was normal. These findings support the view that the altered local milieu and variations in acrosome formation may induce the observed anomalies.

Acrosome↗
PubMed1978

Ultrastructure of acrosomal malformations in men with obstructive azoospermia.

Testicular biopsies from ten infertile men with obstructive azoospermia were evaluated by light and electron microscopy. Light microscopic analysis revealed normal testicular pattern with active spermatogenesis and many spermatozoa. At ultrastructural level the majority of early spermatids presented acrosomal abnormalities that become evident during the approach of the acrosomal vesicle to the anterior pole of the nucleus, and in subsequent maturational stages; these spermatids continue their development until mature spermatozoa with malformed acrosomes. The type of malformation was very similar in all cases observed and was associated with the same type of seminiferous tubule pattern in patients with the same type of azoospermia. The abnormalities at acrosomal level were related to an abnormal differentiation rather than to degenerative changes. Acrosomal disturbance did not influence nucleus morphology or chromatin condensation.

Acrosome↗
PubMed1978

Testicular biopsy of secretory azoospermia: electron and light microscopic analysis.

The histological and ultrastructural features of testicular cells were examined in testes with secretory azoospermia in seven patients with germinal cell arrest, two with Sertoli-cell-only; and one with tubular hyalinization. Germinal cell arrest was characterized by the presence of spermatogonia AD, AP, B, and some primary spermatocytes: these cells had similar ultrastructural features typical of the adult normal testis. Sertoli cells contained large number of various lipid inclusions and lipofuscin bodies. The multilayered peritubular wall presented increased collagen fibers. The cytoplasm of Leydig cells was filled with dilated vesicles of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and precursors of Reinke crystalloids. A blockage in the seminiferous tubules occurred after puberty, when tubular components, peritubular wall and Leydig cells had reached maturity.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Preliminary data on the endocrinologic evaluation of thalassemic adolescents].

Endocrine disfunction are well known in young patients with thalassaemia major and are mainly due to iron overload. Gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) was administered to 13 boys aging more than 14 years and to 13 girls aging more than 13 years to assess pituitary function. Human Chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) was also administered to 13 boys to evaluate their gonadal function. Most of the patients had evidence of pituitary hypofunction and in 4 boys there was evidence of gonadic failure. This study is mandatory for a correct therapeutic approach.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Critical evaluation of the causes of death in thalassemic subjects].

We discuss 25 cases of death observed from 1971 to 1983 in a casistic of 155 patients with Thalassaemic Syndrome. Anemia as a cause of death is disappearing, new triggers are involved such as Yersinia Enterocolitica who can cause severe sepsis even in non-splenectomized patients. Iron overload appears to be the most severe complication in the second decade.

Adolescent↗