Objective To study the effect of tamoxifen on the proliferation and apoptosis of germ cells and to evaluate its clinical application to idiopathic oligospermia. Methods 41 oligospermia patients were treated with tamoxifen.Testicular tissues obtained by Tur Cut biopsy needle,both before and after the treatment,were observed under electron microscopy,the incidence of apoptosis and PCNA expression in germ cells being detected. Results Testicular pathological changes in different degree were observed on electron microscopy.Compared with the normal controls.PCNA proliferation index (PI) was lower ( P

Objective To investigate the pathophysiological mechanism of proliferation and apoptosis in spermatogenic cell of idiopathic oligospermia. Methods Forty one patients with oligospermia were included in the trial.Testicular tissues,which were obtained with Tru Cut needle biopsy,were observed under light microscope.Expressions of p16 and PCNA,incidence of apoptosis in spermatogenic cells were detected by immunohistochemistry and in situ 3′ DNA end labeling technique. Five testicular samples which were proved to be normal by examination served as controls. Results Proliferation index (21.6?13.1)% in testes of patients was lower than the normal controls (45.4?5.7)%, P