title: Histopathological effects of exogenously administered testosterone in 19 female to male transsexuals.
abstract: The effects of exogenously administered testosterone were evaluated in a group of 19 female to male transsexuals who underwent bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy after a variable period of androgen therapy. The findings were compared to those in an age-matched group of 12 patients who underwent pelvic surgery for nonendocrine reasons. The most significant findings in the 19 androgen-treated female transsexuals was the finding of enlarged or borderline enlarged ovaries in 5 subjects. In addition, we found multiple cystic follicles in 17 patients (89.5%), diffuse ovarian stromal hyperplasia in 16 patients (84.2%), collagenization of the outer cortex in 13 patients, and 4) luteinization of stromal cells in 5 patients (26.3%). Findings consistent with polycystic ovaries were thus present in 13 of the 19 patients based on the presence of 3 of the above 4 findings. The data suggest that increased blood levels and presumably increased ovarian concentrations of testosterone may produce the morphological features of polycystic ovarian disease.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010052:Ovariectomy; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000473:pathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014189:Transsexualism / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone