Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Testicular histology in Klinefelter's syndrome

  • Published:
International Urology and Nephrology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In 36 patients the diagnosis of Klinefelter's syndrome could not be made from the somatic status. A germinative sex examination must usually be carried out. Some set rules which are not applicable to all cases are outlined. Bearing this in mind, 3 groups are set up (excessive Leydig cell hyperplasia without tubuli, excessive Leydig cell hyperplasia with tubuli, incomplete or complete spermiogenesis) which will enable a better study. The relevant findings are tabulated and discussed. It shows that in Klinefelter's syndrome a great variability of testicular histology is to be expected. Special attention is devoted to 2 cases of histologically confirmed testicular spermatogenesis and aspermia in the ejaculate. It is suggested that a chromosomal disorder goes hand in hand with testicular histological findings, whereby all variations are possible.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Balze, F. de la, Arillaga, F. C., Irazu, J., Mancini, R. E.: Klinefelter's syndrome: A study of 5 cases.J. clin. Endocr. 12, 227 (1952).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Barr, M. L., Bertram, E. G.: A morphological distinction between neurones of the male and female and the nucleolar satellite during accelerated nucleoprotein synthesis.Nature 163, 676 (1949).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Bergmann, S., Reitalu, J.: Chromosomenbefunde beim Klinefelter Syndrom.Arch. klin. exp. Derm. 213, 769 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Bradbury, J. T., Bunge, R. G., Boccabella, R. A.: Chromatin test in Klinefelter's syndrome.J. clin. Endocr. 689 (1956).

  5. Bunge, R. G., Bradbury, J. T.: Newer concepts of the Klinefelter's syndrome.J. Urol. 76, 758 (1956).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Bunge, R. G., Bradbury, J. T.: Genetic sex: Chromatin test versus gonadal histology.J. clin. Endocr. 16, 1117 (1956).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Carr, D. H., Barr, M. L. Plunkett, E. R., Grumbach, M. M.: An XXXY sex chromosome complex in Klinefelter's subjects with duplicated sex chromatin.J. clin. Endocr. 21, 491 (1961).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Cornwell, J. G., Herrmann, W.: Intersexuality in mentally deficient patients.Acta endocr. 27, 369 (1958).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Crooke, A. C., Hayward, M. D.: Mosaicism in Klinefelter's syndrome.Lancet 1960/I, 1198.

  10. Davidson, W. M., Smith, D. R.: A morphological sex difference in the polymorphonuclear neutrophile leukocytes.Brit. med. J. 2, 6 (1954).

    Google Scholar 

  11. Davis, T. E., Canfield, C. J., Herman, R. H., Goler, D.: Thyroid function in patients with aspermiogenesis and testicular tubular sclerosis.New Engl. J. Med. 268, 178 (1963).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Ferguson-Smith, M. A., Johnston, A. W., Handmaker, S. D.: Primary amentia and microorchidism associated with an XXXY sex-chromosome constitution.Lancet 1960/II, 184.

  13. Ferguson-Smith, M. A., Lennox, B., Mack, W. S., Stewart J. S. S.: Klinefelter's syndrome, frequency and testicular morphology in relation to nuclear sex.Lancet 1957/II, 167.

  14. Harrer, G.: Kasistischer Beitrag zur Pathogenese des Klinefelter Syndroms.Wien. klin. Wschr. 70, 280 (1958).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Heinke, E. und Doepfmer, R.: Das Klinefelter Syndrom. In Jadassohns Handbuch der Haut- und Geschlechtskrankheiten Erg. Werk Band VI/3, Springer Verl, Berlin-Göttingen-Heidelberg 1960.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Heller, C. G., Nelson, W. O.: Hyalinization of the seminiferous tubules associated with normal or failing Leydig cell function. Microscopic picture in the testis and associated changes in the breast.J. clin. Endocr. 5, 13 (1945).

    Google Scholar 

  17. Holub, D. A., Grumbach, M. M., Jailer, J. W.: Seminiferous tubule dysgenesis (Klinefelter syndrome in identical twins).J. clin. Endocr. 18, 1359 (1958).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Hornstein, O.: Zur Klinik und Histopathologie des männlichen Hypogonadismus, Kastratismus und sog. Klinefelter-Syndrom als Krankheitsformen mit bekannter Aetiologie.Arch. klin. exp. Derm. 217, 149 (1963).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Jacobs, P. A., Strong, J. A.: A case of human intersexuality having a possible XXY-sexdeterming mechanism.Nature 183, 302 (1959).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Jirasek, J., Raboch, J.: Über das Sexchromatin bei Männern mit somatosexuellen Entwicklungsstörungen.Endokrinologie 35, 1 (1957).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Kiessling, W., Hienz, H. A.: Die Bedeutung der zellkernmorphologischen Geschlechtserkennung für die Dermatologie unter besonderen Berücksichtigung des sog. Klinefelter-Syndroms.Arch. klin. exp. Derm. 205, 93 (1957).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Klinefelter, H. F., Reifenstein, E. C., Albright, F.: Syndrome characterized by gynecomastia, aspermatogenesis without A-Leydigism increased excretion of follicle-stimulating hormone.J. clin. Endocr. 2, 615 (1942).

    Google Scholar 

  23. Kosenow, W.: Neue Ergebnisse der Chromosomenforschung und ihre Bedeutung für die klinische pathologie.Arch. Kinderheilk. 162, 219 (1960).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Lenz, W.: Zur Aetiologie des Klinefelter-Syndroms.Arch. klin. exp. Derm. 213, 771 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  25. Lenz, W., Nowakowski, H., Prader, A., Schirren, C.: Die Aetiologie des Klinefelter-Syndroms.Schweiz. med. Wschr. 89, 727 (1959).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Nielsen, J., Sörensen, A., Theilgaard, A., Fröland, A., Johnsen, S. G.: A psychiatric-psychological study of 50 severely hypogonadal patients, including 34 with Klinefelter's syndrome, 47, xxy. Acta Jutlandica XLI: 3, Köbenhavn: Munksgaard 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Niermann, H.: Spermiogenese beim Klinefelter-Syndrom.Z. mensch. Vererb. u. Konstit. Lehre 36, 236 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  28. Niermann, H.: Chromosomale Störungen und ihre Bedeutung für die Andrologie und Dermatologie. In Jadassohns Handbuch der Haut- und Geschlechtskrankheiten Erg. Werk. Band VII, p. 130, Springer Verl. Heidelberg-New York: 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Nowakowski, H., Lenz, W., Bergmann, S., Reitalu, J.: Chromosomenbefunde beim Klinefelter-Syndrom.Acta endocr. 34, 483 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  30. Ohno, S., Kaplan, W. D., Kinosita, R.: Formation of the sex chromatin by a single X-chromosome in liver cells of Rattus norvegicus.Exp. Cell. Res. 18, 415 (1959).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Ohno, S., Makino, S., Kaplan, W. D., Kinosita, R.: Female germ cells of man.Exp. Cell. Res. 24, 106 (1961).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Overzier, C.: Die Intersexualität. Thieme, Stuttgart 1961.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Raboch, J., Bleha, O.: Über ein echtes Klinefelter Syndrom mit kompletter Spermiogenese.Endokrinologie 39, 203 (1960).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Schirren, C.: Zur Problematik des Klinefelter Syndroms.Arch. klin. exp. Derm. 211, 134 (1960).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Schirren, C.: Neue Ergebnisse der Andrologie. Springer, Berlin-Heidelberg-New York 1965.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Schirren, C.: Klinik der Andrologie.Internist 8, 2 (1967).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Schirren, C., Jänner, M.: Gemeinsames Auftreten von hyperlipidämischer Xanthomatose und Klinefelter Syndrom.Hautarzt 16, 80 (1965).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Schwarzacher, H. G.: Die Beziehungen zwischen Geschlechtschromatin und Geschlechtschromosomen.Wien. klin. Wschr. 74, 481 (1962).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Segal, S. Y., Nelson, W. O.: Developmental aspects of human hermaphroditism. The significance of sex chromatin pattern.J. clin. Endocr. 17, 676 (1957).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Siebenmann, R.: Hodenmorphologie und chromosomales Geschlecht.Schweiz. med. Wschr. 87, 302 (1957).

    Google Scholar 

  41. Tonutti, E., Weller, O., Schuchardt, E., Heinke, E.: Das Klinefelter-Syndrom. In Die männliche Keimdrüse, Thieme, Stuttgart 1960.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Warburg, E.: Fertilität beim Klinefelter Syndrom.Ugeskr. Laeg. 124, 1265 (1962).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Andrology, University Clinic of Dermatology, Hamburg

    C. Schirren, J. O. Toyosi & I. Wurst

Authors
  1. C. Schirren
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. O. Toyosi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. I. Wurst
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Schirren, C., Toyosi, J.O. & Wurst, I. Testicular histology in Klinefelter's syndrome. International Urology and Nephrology 2, 187–197 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02125820

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02125820

Keywords

Search

Navigation