Influence Of Chorionic Gonadotropin On HUMAN OVARIAN HILUS CELLS (LEYDIGLIKE CELLS)*

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Abstract
Significant cytologic changes were observed in the ovarian hilus cells with admn. of chorionic gonadotropin. The cells showed increased size, acidophilic granulation of the cytoplasm and other changes suggestive of increased activity. Occasional mitotic figures and foci of degeneration were present. Comparable changes were seen in ovaries from pregnant patients and in 1 instance of uterine chorioepithelioma. An increase in number of hilus cells was particularly conspicuous in the term pregnancies. In general, the advance of pregnancy was reflected in an increase in numbers of hilus cells, increased size of cells and a greater degree of pleomorphism. Four of 6 women treated with chorionic gonadotropin showed an increase in urinary 17-ketosteroids. Whether this is related to increased androgen production by ovarian hilus cells cannot be definitely established. Ovarian hilus cells appear to arise by differentiation from connective tissue cell precursors, in similar fashion to testicular Leydig cells. The possibility is suggested that nonmyelinated nerve acts as an "organizer" in this differentiation. The nature of the changes noted in response to chorionic gonadotropin furnish additional evidence that the ovarian hilus cells are functional, hormone-producing cells and that they are closely related to, or identical with, testicular Leydig cells.