Reproduction Abstracts

Introduction: The blood–testis barrier (BTB) remains semi-permeable to tracers of increasing molecular weight in an adult rat model of spermatogenic re-initiation. Complete closure of the BTB occurred when steps 2–7 round spermatids re-appeared in the epithelium, and coincided with the localisation of a new tight junction (TJ) protein claudin-12 (Cldn12) at the BTB. We hypothesise that meiotic and/or post-meiotic germ cells up-regulate Sertoli cell TJs, and aim to de...

Introduction: Primary spermatogenic failure is the commonest cause of male infertility. Changes in Sertoli and germ cell function may be reflected in the testicular interstitial fluid (TIF) proteome and its analysis may provide insights into the pathophysiology. Microdissection testicular sperm extraction (microTESE) provides sperm for ICSI in ~50% of non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) cases. As the first step in constructing a diagnostic approach for broader application in NOA...