Testis, Germ Cell - Exfoliation

Germ cells may undergo degeneration and/or apoptosis within the seminiferous epithelium, or they may lose contact with the surrounding Sertoli cell cytoplasmic processes and be shed into the tubular lumen (Figure 1 and Figure 2). Often the exfoliated germ cells retain relatively normal morphology. The cells will rapidly be transported into the epididymis and will be present in the ductular lumens. The finding should not be confused with artifactual sloughing of germ cells caused by squeezing of the testis during necropsy dissection. In the case of sloughing due to necropsy trauma, germ cells will not be seen in the epididymis. Germ cell exfoliation has been described as a predominant finding following administration of phthalate esters and microtubule inhibitors such as colchicine and the fungicide carbendazim.