Enzyme Histochemistry of Ovarian Lipoid Cell Hyperplasia in a Masculinized Patient

Abstract

In an effort to better identify the specific steroids produced by histologically similar cells of certain ovarian tumors, a battery of histochemical assays was performed on a masculinizing tumor removed from a 21-year-old patient. Certain reactions were distinguished that seemed to be specific for the histologically classic luteinized stromal cell, and these reactions can be correlated with those obtained with Leydig and hilar cells. The apparent precursors of the interstitial cells (ISC) of this tumor, and to a lesser extent the immature ISC, possess unusually high choli-nesterase activity, especially with the butyryl ester. The importance of the perivascular and neural elements in the process of steroidogenesis is suggested by the findings in this case.