Saif Omar1, Provas Banerjee2, Samar Deb3
ABSTRACT: Basement Membrane [BM] is a thin layer of specialized extracellular matrix that lies sandwiched between connective tissue and various tissues supported by it. Somniferous tubules are the sites of germination, maturation and transportation of the spermatic cells within the male testes. Somniferous tubule differentiation has been seen to be related to occurrence of germ cell neoplasia in men who have been treated surgically for cryptorchidism during childhood. Impairment of normal BM thickness of Somniferous tubules in crypt orchid testes results in alteration of diameter of Somniferous tubules and increased intertubular spaces. Retardation of Somniferous tubule differentiation results in inhibited spermatogenesis, presence of tubules with immature Sertoli cells, decreased tubular diameter, increased thickness of BM and enlarged intertubular spaces. Spermatogenic dysfunction may result from thickening of BM of Somniferous tubules and tubular sclerosis.
