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 presumabl y normal human testicular tissues and specimens exhibiting any of five pathologies. Methods-Biopsies from patients having testicular malfunc tions were prepared as sections and specifically immunohistochemically stained for inhibin, FSH, serotonin, AUP and oxytocin. Results-Immuno cytochemical studies revealed the presence of various hypophysial-pitu itary-intestinal hormones, viz., FSH, inhibin, arginine vasopressin (A VP), calcitonin, serotonin, oxytocin, adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), gast rin, secretin, and somatostatin in human testicular biopsies exhibitin g normal spermatogenesis, Sertoli-cell-only syndrome, spermatogenic ar rest, Leydig cell hyperplasia, Leydig cell tumor, and seminoma. Intens ity of immunostaining for all peptides except FSH was stronger in case s of subfertile as compared to normal testis. Intensity of immunostain ing with inhibin was maximum in Leydig cell tumor. Conclusion-These re gulatory peptides may be involved in the pathophysiology of the testes .