The origin of ovarian Leydig cells: a possibly solved enigma?

Over the years, the origin of ovarian Leydig cells has been, and still is, a topic subject to deep debate. Seven years ago, we proposed that this origin resided in intraneural elements that came from a possible reservoir of neural crest cells, a reservoir that may be located in the ganglia of the celiac plexus. We believe we have found the evidence necessary to prove this hypothesis.

Extraparenchymal ovarian and testicular Leydig cells: ectopic/heterotopic or orthotopic?

Purpose: We are conducting a prospective study trying to determine, in both sexes, the frequency of appearance of ectopic Leydig cells, their preferred location, their relationship with nerve structures and the possible causes of their appearance.

Methods: We have studied 86 cases that were removed according to different clinical indications for pathological study: uterine leyomiomas (n = 12), ovarian cystadenoma (n = 4), endometrial hyperplasia (n = 8), endometrial carcinoma (n = 12), cervical carcinoma (n = 4), seminoma (n = 4), fallopian tube ligatures (n = 24), vasectomies (n = 8), nonspecific orchiepididymitis (n = 2), and unknown (n = 8).

Results: We have observed ectopic Leydig cells in 13/86 cases (15.