Intrauterine growth retardation associated with precocious puberty and sertoli cell hyperplasia

• Published in: Hormone and metabolic research Vol. 42; no. 9; p. 682
• Main Authors: Lodish, M B, Gartner, L A, Albini, P, Sabnis, G, Brodie, A, Meck, J M, Meloni-Ehrig, A M, Hill, S, Tsilou, E, Valera, V A, Walter, B A, Merino, M J, Stratakis, C A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01-08-2010
• Subjects: Aromatase - metabolism; Chromosome Banding; Female; Fetal Growth Retardation - pathology; Humans; Hyperplasia; Immunohistochemistry; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Karyotyping; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Pregnancy; Puberty, Precocious - complications; Sertoli Cells - pathology; Water
• ISSN: 1439-4286
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1252021

The original description of patients with Russell-Silver syndrome included precocious puberty, the mechanism of which was unclear. We describe a child with a Russell-Silver syndrome-like phenotype who presented with precocious puberty that was associated with hyperplasia of the Sertoli cells. The patient was found to have an immature cryptorchid testicle; hyperplastic Sertoli cells were also aneuploid carrying trisomy 8. This chromosomal abnormality was present in Sertoli cells only and could not be detected in peripheral lymphocytes, tunica vaginalis, or other, normal, testicular tissue. Sertoli cells in culture showed excess aromatization providing an explanation for the rapid advancement of the patient's bone age. We conclude that in a patient with a Russell-Silver syndrome-like phenotype, Sertoli cell hyperplasia was associated with somatic trisomy 8, increased aromatization, and gonadotropin-independent precocious puberty.