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Germ cell expression of placental alkaline phosphatase in male pseudohermaphroditism
Author(s) -
ARMSTRONG G.R.,
BUCKLEY C.H.,
KELSEY A.M.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
histopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.626
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1365-2559
pISSN - 0309-0167
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2559.1991.tb01481.x
Subject(s) - male pseudohermaphroditism , alkaline phosphatase , pseudohermaphroditism , placental alkaline phosphatase , germ cell , endocrinology , medicine , biology , malignancy , androgen , autopsy , andrology , hypospadias , anatomy , hormone , enzyme , genetics , gene , biochemistry
We have reviewed testes removed from 14 individuals with male pseudohermaphroditism (13 with androgen insensitivity and one with 17 α‐hydroxylase deficiency) and have studied staining for placental alkaline phosphatase in germ cells. Placental alkaline phosphatase positivity was identified in fetal and premature neonatal controls but not in cryptorchid males or normal autopsy control material from boys older than 6 months. It was present in autopsy testes younger than 6 months and cases of androgen insensitivity in boys younger than 8 months, suggesting immaturity. It was also expressed in two patients with male pseudohermaphroditism aged 5 years and 14 years, both of whom had intra‐tubular germ cell neoplasia by morphological criteria. Our study confirms the use of placental alkaline phospatase as a marker of germ cell neoplasia in this specific group who are at high risk of malignancy.