Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS) is an infertility disorder that affects men between the age of 20 and 40 years. SCOS is defined by the presence of the Sertoli cell line in seminiferous tubules and the complete absence of germ cells. SCOS patients have normal or smaller size testes and no gynecomastia. The patients are otherwise physically normal and have no other sexual abnormalities.
SCOS is also called Del Castillo syndrome and germ cell aplasia. Sertoli cells play crucial roles in the sexual development of males, including the development of spermatogonia and spermatogenesis, the secretion of anti-Müllerian hormone to prevent the formation of Müllerian ducts in males fetuses, and the secretion of inhibin and activin to regulate follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Patients with SCOS have a very low or complete absence of spermatogenesis. Below 5% to 10% of male infertility is…
