Immunohistochemical Localization of β-Endorphin in Hyperplastic Interstitial Tissue of the Human Testis

Abstract
The immunohistochemical localization of β-endorphin in the normal testis (two patients) and in the pathologic testis (two cases of Sertoli Cell Only Syndrome, two cases of Klinefelter Syndrome, two cases of post-orchitis tubular sclero-hialinosis) was investigated. No β-endorphin immunostaining was detected in the normal testis, while positive β-endorphin immunostaining has been observed in pathologic tissues. These results indicate that, as in animals, β-endorphin is present in human Leydig cells and may play a local role in regulating male reproductive function.

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