HISTOCHEMICAL AND ENDOCRINE STUDIES IN THREE CASES OF MALE PSEUDOHERMAPHRODITISM

Abstract

ABSTRACT The histochemistry of the gonads of three cases of male pseudohermaphroditism was studied. The histological and histochemical findings are integrated with the clinical and laboratory data. The study enables us to differentiates the histological picture of the gonads of these patients from those of prepuberal or primary undescended testes. A histochemical study was used to differentiate the Leydig cells in the cases without feminization, from the feminized cases. The feminized patients had a testicular interstitial tissue filled with a pigment identified as a lipofuscin. 3β-ol-dehydrogenase activity was markedly positive in these pigmented cells, suggesting their active functional condition.