[Histochemical study on glutathione S-transferase in patients with testicular tumor]

Tumor tissue and nontumorous tissue of 31 patients with testicular tumor were examined by the peroxidase antiperoxidase (PAP) procedure using the primary antibody against glutathione S-transferase (GST). Histology of primary tumor was classified as seminoma in 10 cases, non-seminoma in 18 (including 2 cases of yolk sac tumor), and malignant lymphoma in 3. Tumorous tissues except one with yolk sac tumor failed to be stained with GST. The seminiferous tubules of the nontumorous testicular tissue had a positive reaction in the infant cases, but not in the adult cases. The degenerated seminiferous tubules involved in the testicular tumors also had a positive reaction in all the cases. Leydig cells had a positive reaction in all the cases. In particular, diffuse Leydig cell's hyperplasia was observed in a case with high serum beta hCG and urinary hCG levels. These data may be relevant in explaining the inherent hypofertility of these patients.