Neurohormonal peptides and argyrophil cells in an androblastoma of the ovary

Morphologic and immunohistochemical characterization of Leydig cell tumor variants in Wistar rats

During a routine long-term drug safety study, lasting approximately 2 1/2 yr, male Wistar rats, treated with a prolactin-inhibiting compound, developed an excess of Leydig cell tumors (LCTs). Most tumors were typical for the rat but a small number showed an unusual variation and some appeared malignant. The variation consisted of glandular and/or tubular structures within the tumor mass which occasionally anastomosed and contained an eosinophilic periodic-acid Schiff (PAS) positive material. In a few of these variants, malignant features such as cellular atypia, capsular, and lymphatic invasion and necrosis were seen. No metastases were detected. Detailed morphological and immunohistochemical investigations were conducted in order to establish the cell of origin of these variants. Glandular/tubular structures were found to stain with varying intensity for vimentin and cytokeratin, but were always negative for beta-tubulin. The results indicated that the cell of origin of these LCT variants was indeed the Leydig cell and that glandular and/or tubular structures within LCTs represented a form of Leydig cell metaplasia.

Morphology of canine ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell neoplasms. A report of 12 cases

Of 71 dogs with primary ovarian neoplasms, 12 (17%) had Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors. Five dogs had Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors, four had pure Sertoli cell tumors, and three had Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors with a retiform pattern. Variously differentiated Sertoli cells were seen in the Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors, and one of these metastasized to the peritoneum. The pure Sertoli cell tumors were similar to these tumors in male dogs. The retiform pattern in the third group of tumors was characterized by tubuloalveolar structures resembling rete testes. Heterologous elements were seen in seven tumors (58%)--enteric glands in three Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors and one Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor with retiform pattern, and neuroendocrine carcinoma in one pure Sertoli cell tumor and two Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors with retiform pattern. The uterus was examined in seven dogs, and six (87%) had endometrial hyperplasia.

Ectopic insulin production by a primary ovarian carcinoid

An insulin-containing ovarian carcinoid was found at the autopsy of a 63-year-old woman with a 12-year history of episodic hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia. In terms of histology, the carcinoid displayed both insular and trabecular patterns and contained a small focus of mucinous cystadenoma. Beta secretory granules were demonstrated by electron microscopy, and immunoreactivity for insulin was demonstrated in tumor cell cytoplasm by immunohistochemistry. Additional autopsy findings included a solitary parathyroid adenoma and a microscopic focus of pituitary hyperplasia. This is the first recorded case of insulin production by a primary ovarian neoplasm. The patient's constellation of endocrine findings may represent a variant of the syndrome of type I multiple endocrine neoplasia.

Ectopic prolactin secretion from a gonadoblastoma

A 6.5-year-old girl developed isosexual, pseudoprecocious puberty secondary to a gonadoblastoma. The tumor was found to produce and secrete both immunoassayable and bioassayable prolactin based on immunohistochemical techniques and the presence of a prolactin gradient between the tumor vein and peripheral vein. The source of the prolactin was a Sertoli-like cell. Neither growth hormone nor growth hormone-releasing hormone was detected within the tumor. This case confirms the ectopic production of prolactin by neoplastic tissue.

Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor of the ovary with heterologous elements and carcinoid: an immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study

A Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor of the ovary is described in which there were heterologous elements consisting of enteric cysts and an evolving carcinoid. Endocrine cells in the cysts and carcinoid were found to contain gastrin and other polypeptide hormones. Aspects of the organization of the enteric epithelium, its histogenesis, and the possible relationship of this tumor to other cystic ovarian neoplasms are discussed.