Pubertas Precox in A Six-Year-Old Boy Produced by a Tumor of the Testis, Probably of Interstitial Cell Origin

Abstract

Gonadal hyperfunction may be divided into two general types, a), primary and b), secondary. There has been some doubt that such an entity as primary hypergonadism exists, provided the gonads are situated normally, especially with our newer knowledge of the essentiality of the anterior pituitary gonadotropic hormone or hormones for gonadal development and function. However, this conception does not take into consideration the possibility of tumors, interstitial cell or adrenocortical, the Secretions of which may have androgenic activity. Pubertas precox may be due to four known factors, a), anterior pituitary hyperfunction, b), pineal disturbance, c), certain adrenal cortex tumors or disturbances and d), interstitial cell tumor of the testis. There are frequent instances of precocious puberty produced by anterior pituitary gonadotropic hormones, especially in girls, as evidenced by secondary sexual development, early epiphyseal closure and onset of menstruation.