[Histogenesis on the ovarian Leydig cell tumor--light microscopic dry-mounting radioautography for 3H-cholesterol and electron microscopic cytochemistry for 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity].
A case of a virilizing ovarian Leydig cell tumor in a 38 year-old woman with a markedly elevated plasma testosterone level was investigated using light microscopic dry-mounting radioautography and electron microscopic cytochemistry. Following total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, the plasma testosterone level fell abruptly. Light microscopic dry-mounting radioautography for 3H-cholesterol showed silver grains mainly localized over the cytoplasm of the tumor cells. In the Leydig cell tumor there were three different cell types: Fibroblast-like cells, Leydig cells (steroid-secreting cells) and transitional cells (partially or incompletely differentiated Leydig cells). Reaction products for 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity were localized on tubular or lamellar cristae and inner membranes of the mitochondria, and on the membranes of smooth endoplasmic reticulum in the transitional cell as well as in the Leydig cell. From these facts, it is suggested that the Leydig cell tumor is derived from the fibroblast-like cell and the Leydig cell, already has a steroidogenic activity in secreting testosterone.
D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D001345:Autoradiography; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007984:Leydig Cell Tumor / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D010053:Ovary / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014316:Tritium
D014316:Tritium; D002784:Cholesterol; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases