Occurrence of FSH, inhibin and other hypothalamic-pituitary-intestinal hormones in normal fertility, subfertility, and tumors of human testes.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the distribution of peptide hormones in presumably normal human testicular tissues and specimens exhibiting any of five pathologies.


METHODS
Biopsies from patients having testicular malfunctions were prepared as sections and specifically immunohistochemically stained for inhibin, FSH, serotonin, AUP, and oxytocin.


RESULTS
Immunocytochemical studies revealed the presence of various hypophysial-pituitary-intestinal hormones, viz., FSH, inhibin, arginine vasopressin (AVP), calcitonin, serotonin, oxytocin, adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), gastrin, secretin, and somatostatin in human testicular biopsies exhibiting normal spermatogenesis, Sertoli-cell-only syndrome, spermatogenic arrest, Leydig cell hyperplasia, Leydig cell tumor, and seminoma. Intensity of immunostaining for all peptides except FSH was stronger in cases of subfertile as compared to normal testis. Intensity of immunostaining with inhibin was maximum in Leydig cell tumor.


CONCLUSIONS
These regulatory peptides may be involved in the pathophysiology of the testes.
Mehta
M K
MK
Institute for Research in Reproduction, Parel, Bombay, India.
Garde
S V
SV
Sheth
A R
AR
D001127:Arginine Vasopressin / Q000032:analysis; D001706:Biopsy; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000378:metabolism*; D007265:Inhibins / Q000032:analysis*; D007984:Leydig Cell Tumor / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000032:analysis; D018239:Seminoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000032:analysis; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D013737:Testis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology
D001127:Arginine Vasopressin; D012701:Serotonin; D010121:Oxytocin; D007265:Inhibins; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D002116:Calcitonin