Objective: To investigate the expression of the augmenter of liver regeneration (ALR) in cryptorchidism spermatogenic cells.
Methods: Twenty cryptorchidism rat models were established by surgery, 10 included as normal controls and anther 10 as sham-surgery controls. The expression of ALR was detected by immunochemistry, the COX II level measured by immunofluorescence and the ferric iron contents assayed by Perls stain.
Results: ALR expressed intensively in the spermatogonia of the control groups but in a signigicantly diminished manner in the cryptorchidism group. No significant difference was found in the COX II level between any two groups of the same age. Ferric iron content of the PND30 cryptorchids decreased significantly (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: ALR may play an important role in early spermatogenesis. Metabolism dysfunctions caused by ALR defection might be a crucial mechanism for aspermatogenesis of cryptorchidism.