[Ultrastructural cytology of testicular seminomas]. 1986

D Stiller, and H J Holzhausen

The aim of this electron microscopic study was to analyze and compare aspects of various histologically distinct seminoma variants including the classical form (11 cases), anaplastic seminoma (1 case) and seminoma with syncytiotrophoblastic giant cells. Sub-microscopic features of these seminoma types are essentially the same; these various seminoma forms can not be electron microscopically distinguished. Although the cytoplasmic structures of the tumor cells varied, the most striking feature was a high glycogen content. Three types of seminoma cells could be distinguished on the basis of the relation between glycogen accumulation and cytoplasmic organelles: 1. tumor cells with plentiful glycogen and scant organelles, 2. tumor cells packed with organelles including RER, mitochondria and Golgi-apparatus but with finely dispersed glycogen, 3. tumor cells with numerous free ribosomes but few organelles and little glycogen. Glycogenosomes are described here for the first time as distinct organelles in seminoma cells, suggesting a disturbed carbohydrate metabolism. Another typical finding was a network of fine filaments measuring about 4 to 6 nm which probably correspond to actin. By interweaving in all directions they produce a felt-like meshwork on the inner-side of the cell membrane. Based on the composition of the seminoma cell cytoplasm with its collection of special organelles including lamellae annulatae, chromatoid bodies and crystalline structures resembling Lubarsch crystals, the tumor cells may be interpreted as neoplastic germ cells related to the so-called atypical germ cells of the testis.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008854 Microscopy, Electron Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen. Electron Microscopy
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009940 Organoids An organization of cells into an organ-like structure. Organoids can be generated in culture, e.g., self-organized three-dimensional tissue structures derived from STEM CELLS (see MICROPHYSIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS). They are also found in certain NEOPLASMS. Organoid
D003593 Cytoplasm The part of a cell that contains the CYTOSOL and small structures excluding the CELL NUCLEUS; MITOCHONDRIA; and large VACUOLES. (Glick, Glossary of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 1990) Protoplasm,Cytoplasms,Protoplasms
D004407 Dysgerminoma A malignant ovarian neoplasm, thought to be derived from primordial germ cells of the sexually undifferentiated embryonic gonad. It is the counterpart of the classical seminoma of the testis, to which it is both grossly and histologically identical. Dysgerminomas comprise 16% of all germ cell tumors but are rare before the age of 10, although nearly 50% occur before the age of 20. They are generally considered of low-grade malignancy but may spread if the tumor extends through its capsule and involves lymph nodes or blood vessels. (Dorland, 27th ed; DeVita Jr et al., Cancer: Principles & Practice of Oncology, 3d ed, p1646) Disgerminoma,Disgerminomas,Dysgerminomas
D006003 Glycogen
D006651 Histocytochemistry Study of intracellular distribution of chemicals, reaction sites, enzymes, etc., by means of staining reactions, radioactive isotope uptake, selective metal distribution in electron microscopy, or other methods. Cytochemistry
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults

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