Abstract
At our pathology department, all spontaneously aborted fetuses are routinely autopsied and analyzed. During fetal autopsy, the position of the testes is assessed and noted, and both testes are taken for routine histopathologic analysis. They are fixed in 10 % buffered formalin, embedded in paraffin and routinely processed, cut in 5-μm sections, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). If the microscopic features are within the normal limits for gestational age, the microscopic appearance is not described in detail in the autopsy report. If there is any deviation from the appearance expected for gestational age, it is described in detail. Although immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis is not done routinely, for the purpose of this chapter and for a better understanding of fetal development, certain markers were used (see the figures).
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Recommended Literature
de Miguel M, Bethencourt F, Arenas M, Fraile B, Paniagua R. Intermediate filaments in the Sertoli cells of the aging human testis. Virchows Arch. 1997;431:131–8.
Dinges H, Zatloukal K, Schmid C, Mair S, Wirnsberger G. Co-expression of cytokeratin and vimentin filaments in rete testis and epididymis. An immunohistochemical study. Virchows Arch A Pathol Anat Histopathol. 1991;418:119–27.
Hittmair A, Zelger B, Obrist P, Dirnhofer S. Ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor: a SRY gene-independent pathway of pseudomale gonadal differentiation. Hum Pathol. 1997;28:1206–10.
Honecker F, Stoop H, de Krijger R, Chris Lau YF, Bokemeyer C, Looijenga LH. Pathobiological implications of the expression of markers of testicular carcinoma in situ by fetal germ cells. J Pathol. 2004;203:849–57.
Huff DS. Chapter 9: Testis. In: Ernst LM, Ruchelli ED, Huff DS, editors. Color atlas of fetal and neonatal histology. New York: Springer; 2011. p. 121–41.
Muller J, Skakkebaek NE. Quantification of germ cells and seminiferous tubules by stereological examination of testicles from 50 boys who suffered sudden death. Int J Androl. 1983;6:143–56.
Sharpe R, McKinnell C, Kivlin C, Fisher JS. Proliferation and functional maturation of Sertoli cells, and their relevance to disorders of testis function in adulthood. Reproduction. 2003;125:769–84.
Suaraz-Quian CA, Martinez-Garcia F, Nistal M, Regadera J. Androgen receptor distribution in adult human testis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1999;84:350–8.
Svechnikov K, Landreh L, Weisser J, et al. Origin, development and regulation of human Leydig cells. Horm Res Paediatr. 2010;73:93–101.
Trainer TD. Chapter 37: Testis and excretory duct system. In: Mills SE, editor. Histology for pathologists. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2007. p. 944–63.
Waters BL, Trainer TD. Development of the human fetal testis. Pediatr Pathol Lab Med. 1996;16:9–23.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2013 Springer-Verlag London
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Kos, M., Leniček, T. (2013). The Fetal Human Testis. In: Ježek, D. (eds) Atlas on the Human Testis. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2763-5_5
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2763-5_5
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-2762-8
Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-2763-5
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)