EUTOPIC PRODUCTION OF HUMAN CHORIONIC-GONADOTROPIN-BETA (HCG-BETA) AND LUTEINIZING-HORMONE-BETA (HLH-BETA) IN THE HUMAN TESTIS

The classical pregnancy and tumor marker hCG has long been considered to be only accidentally expressed ectopically, e.g. by tumors. The biological functions of low levels of hCG beta, hCG alpha and holo-hCG in the sera of nonpregnant healthy individuals remained unclear. Immunological analyses by out ultrasensitive time-resolved fluoroimmunoassays revealed a concentration gradient from <5 pg hCG beta/ml in cubital vein serum versus up to 480 pg hCG beta/ml in the corresponding benign testicular hydrocele fluids. Moreover, hCG beta and its cognate molecule luteinizing hormone beta(LH beta) were present in cytosolic extracts of normal human testes. Both hCG beta and hLH beta are eutopically produced as proven by RT-PCR and subsequent Southern and dot blot analyses. Thus, the view of a purely systemic hormonal function of hLH, and of hCG during pregnancy need a reassessement as hCG beta are synthesized in the human testis and autocrine/paracrine actions seen to be likely.