Expression of androgen receptor co-regulators in the testes of men with azoospermia  Kuo-Chung Lan, M.D., Chang-Yi Hseh, M.Sc., Sheng-Yun Lu, M.D., Shiuh Young Chang, M.D., Chih-Rong Shyr, Ph.D., Yen-Ta Chen, M.D., Hong-Yo Kang, Ph.D., Ko-En Huang, M.D.  Fertility and Sterility  Volume 89, Issue 5, Pages 1397-1405 (May 2008) DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.03.092 Copyright © 2008 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

Figure 1 Quantitative evaluation of androgen receptor (AR), ARA70, ARA55, ARA54, and SRC-1 in testicular tissues from men with azoospermia by real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction. Each bar represent mean ± SD. Concomitant detection of β-actin mRNA served as a reference for relative quantification. ∗P<.05. Fertility and Sterility 2008 89, 1397-1405DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.03.092) Copyright © 2008 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

Figure 2 Androgen receptor (AR) immunostaining of the testes obtained from men with azoospermia. (A,B) AR distribution for normal spermatogenesis; (C,D) AR distribution from deficient spermatogenesis. Note that all Sertoli (S) cell nuclei and peritubular myoid (M) cell nuclei exhibit a deposition of reaction. Leydig (L) cells with AR-positive nuclei can be discerned and were not consistently detected in deficient spermatogenesis Original magnification, ×100 (A,C) and ×400 (B,D). Fertility and Sterility 2008 89, 1397-1405DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.03.092) Copyright © 2008 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

Figure 3 Androgen receptor co-regulator ARA55 immunostaining of testes from men with azoospermia. (A,B) ARA55 distribution for normal spermatogenesis; (C,D) ARA55 distribution for deficient spermatogenesis. Note that the wall of the seminiferous tubules is labeled (Base). Specific immunostaining was detected exclusively in the cytoplasm of peritubular myoid cells and vascular endothelial cells (E). ARA55 immunostaining was not observed in Sertoli, Leydig, or germ cells. The nuclei of peritubular myoid cells (arrowhead) and vascular endothelial cells (arrow) did not take up immunostain. Original magnification, ×200 (A,C) and ×400 (B,D). Fertility and Sterility 2008 89, 1397-1405DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.03.092) Copyright © 2008 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

Figure 4 Androgen receptor co-regulator ARA54 immunostaining of the testes from men with obstructive azoospermia. (A,B) ARA54 distribution for normal spermatogenesis; (C,D) ARA54 distribution for deficient spermatogenesis. Original magnification, ×200 (A,C) and ×400 (B,D). Germ-cell nuclear ARA54 immunostaining was late-stage specific in normal spermatogenesis. ARA54 nuclei immunostaining distributed around the lumen in normal spermatogeneis (A). Nuclear ARA54 immunostaining was robust in the round spermatid (Sa) in normal spermatogenesis. Diploid primary spermatocyte (P) ranged from weak to completely absent ARA54 immunostaining. Other stage-specific germ (spermatogonia [Sd], enlongate spermatid, and mature sperm [arrowhead]) and somatic cells (Sertoli cell [S], peritubular myoid cell [M], and Ledying cell [L]) were negative for ARA54 immunostaining. (C,D) Seminiferous tubules and germ cell aplasia with Sertoli cells only. ARA54 immunostaining was detected in Sertoli (S), peritubular myoid (M), and Leydig cells (L). Leydig cell nuclei and peritubal myoid cell nuclei positive for ARA54 were not consistently detected in deficient spermatogenesis. Original magnification, ×200 (A,C) and ×400 (B,D). Fertility and Sterility 2008 89, 1397-1405DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.03.092) Copyright © 2008 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions