Spermatogenesis in a patient can be evaluated by the cellularity of seminiferous tubular cross sections.
Examination:
(1) at least 30 seminiferous tubular cross sections are studied
(2) the number of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids and Sertoli cells are counted
germ cell to Sertoli cell ratio =
= ((number of spermatogonia) + (number of spermatocytes) + (number of spermatids)) / (number of Sertoli cells)
Interpretation:
• The germ cell to Sertoli cell ratio in healthy young men is approximately 13:1.
• The number of Sertoli cells per cross section should average about 12
• Spermatids should represent about 50% of the germ cell elements.
