Testis, Seminiferous Tubule - Giant Cells

Multinucleated giant cells in seminiferous tubules are a specific form of degenerating germ cell, in contrast to nonspecific germ cell degeneration (see Testis - Germinal Epithelium - Degeneration ). The presence of giant cells can be focal or diffuse and may affect one or both testes. Multinucleated giant cells can occasionally be seen as an incidental background lesion. The phenomenon occurs because normal germ cell division is characterized by incomplete cytokinesis, so the progeny of each cell division are joined to each other by cytoplasmic bridges. During some forms of degeneration, these cytoplasmic bridges can open and allow fusion of the cellular contents of the conjoined cells. Some degree of multinucleated giant cell formation may accompany germinal cell degeneration/atrophy, and if this is the case, they should not be recorded as a separate finding. However, if multinucleated giant cells are present as a dominant feature of a testicular lesion, as in Figure 1 and Figure 2, the finding of “multinucleated giant cells” may be warranted.