[Virilizing luteoma of pregnancy. Relation to polycystic ovaries]

Luteoma of pregnancy is a benign uncommon ovarian tumor which develops during pregnancy and disappears completely after delivery. It can virilize the mother and female foetus. The coexistence of this ovarian tumor with polycystic ovarian disease is well known but no causal relation has been demonstrated. In polycystic ovarian disease, luteinization is the result of persistent stimulation of the ovary by elevated levels of LH, whereas HCG has been suggested as a factor in the pathogenesis of luteoma. Though not a requisite factor, ovarian polycystic disease promotes the development of luteoma. However, the role of other hormonal and biochemical factors is still unknown.