Bilateral Sertoli and Interstitial Cell Tumours in Abdominal Testes of a Goat with Polled Intersex Syndrome (PIS)

Abstract

An 8-year-old, mixed breed, polled goat was presented for evaluation of male-like behaviour. Clinical findings included clitoromegaly, a heavily muscled neck, pronounced beard, and erect dorsal guard hairs, which are phenotypic characteristics commonly observed in intersex animals. Transrectal ultrasonography revealed the presence of two abdominal masses caudolateral to the uterine horns. Serum concentration of estradiol was elevated. Genetic evaluation was compatible with polled intersex syndrome defined by an XX karyotype without a Y chromosome or SRY gene. Based on gross and histologic evaluation, the abdominal masses were determined to be intra-abdominal testes, each of which was effaced by Sertoli cell and interstitial (Leydig) cell tumours. The Sertoli cell tumours (SCTs) represented two unique histologic patterns. Regardless of pattern, neoplastic Sertoli cells were consistently lipid laden and positive for vimentin. Interstitial cell tumours (ICTs) were negative for vimentin. Clinical and histopathologic findings suggest that prolonged exposure to steroids secreted by neoplastic Sertoli cells contributed to virilization. In addition, results from immunohistochemistry indicated that vimentin may be a valuable immunodiagnostic tool for differentiation between interstitial and Sertoli cell tumours in goats.

Expression of Epithelial and Mesenchymal Differentiation Markers in the Early Human Gonadal Development

“…In contrast to cytokeratins, mice lacking vimentin showed normal development and reproduction (Colucci-Guyon et al, 1994). Vimentin is also a useful immunodiagnostic tool because it is positive in neoplastic Sertoli cells, (Canisso et al;Chi et al, 2006). IFs, especialy vimentin, have been shown as essential proteins for normal testicular morphology and spermatogenesis (Ketema et al, 2013).…”