Immunohistochemical Characterization of Nonhuman Primate Ovarian Sex Cord–Stromal Tumors

Abstract

This study evaluates the immunoreactivity of 12 sex cord–stromal tumors of nonhuman primates (11 granulosa cell tumors and 1 luteoma). The markers selected are used in the characterization of gonadal tumors in dogs and other species, including cytokeratins AE1/AE3, GATA-4, inhibin-α, neuron-specific enolase, protein gene product 9.5, and vimentin. A normal nonhuman primate ovary was used as a control and to optimize immunolabeling. Staining was graded as follows: 0 (nonstaining), 1+ (< 10% positive cells), 2+ (10%–50% positive cells), and 3+ (> 50% positive cells). Calretinin, GATA-4, neuron-specific enolase, and vimentin were the most consistently expressed markers (12 of 12). Cytokeratins AE1/AE3 were also consistently expressed (11 of 12). Inhibin-α and protein gene product 9.5 were expressed in 8 and 10 sex cord–stromal tumors, respectively. Results indicate that immunoreactivity of nonhuman primate sex cord–stromal tumors is similar to that observed in other species and that calretinin, GATA-4, and neuron-specific enolase are the most consistently expressed markers in nonhuman primate sex cord–stromal tumors.