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Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is major physiological luteotropic factors for the human corpus luteum. The observations strongly suggest that the human ovary possesses a gonadotropin receptor in the cell membrane. We studied the HCG receptor in normal human ovary and ovarian tumors. Twenty-three human ovarian specimens and 16 ovarian tumor specimens were obtained from women patients having gynecological surgery. Ovaries were homogenized and sonicated. The homogenates were centrifuged at 2000 g for 15 min. After sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation (78,000 g, 4 h), two fractions were collected from layer of 33% and interface between 33% and 37%. Thirty micrograms of ovarian protein, 8 ng 125I-HCG and unlabeled HCG in a final volume of 0.5 ml of 0.05 mol/L Tris buffer were incubated at 30 degrees C for 2 h. The results were shown in the table.

Ovarian specimens from 159 different patients were analyzed for estrogen and progesterone receptor (ER and PR) content with the Dextran-coated Charcoal method. The results indicated that the contents of ER and PR in malignant ovarian tumors were not correlated with the menstrual cycle of the patient, clinical stage and differentiation of the tumor. Among malignant ovarian tumors, the mean ER and PR concentrations in sex-cord stromal tumors and endometrioid carcinomas were higher than those in other malignant ovarian tumors (P less than 0.05, P less than 0.025). This suggests the possibility of endocrine therapy for these patients with the hope for a better prognosis.