EUTOPIC PRODUCTION OF HUMAN CHORIONIC-GONADOTROPIN-BETA (HCG-BETA) AND LUTEINIZING-HORMONE-BETA (HLH-BETA) IN THE HUMAN TESTIS

The classical pregnancy and tumor marker hCG has long been considered to be only accidentally expressed ectopically, e.g. by tumors. The bio logical functions of low levels of hCG beta, hCG alpha and holo-hCG in the sera of nonpregnant healthy individuals remained unclear. Immunol ogical analyses by out ultrasensitive time-resolved fluoroimmunoassays revealed a concentration gradient from <5 pg hCG beta/ml in cubital v ein serum versus up to 480 pg hCG beta/ml in the corresponding benign testicular hydrocele fluids. Moreover, hCG beta and its cognate molecu le luteinizing hormone beta(LH beta) were present in cytosolic extract s of normal human testes. Both hCG beta and hLH beta are eutopically p roduced as proven by RT-PCR and subsequent Southern and dot blot analy ses. Thus, the view of a purely systemic hormonal function of hLH, and of hCG during pregnancy need a reassessement as hCG beta are synthesi zed in the human testis and autocrine/paracrine actions seen to be lik ely.