Ultrastructure of the fibrous tissue of the streak gonads.

Abstract

The ultrastructure of the streak gonad was studied in 12 cases. Under the electron microscope the streak gonad displays fibroblasts, collagen fibres with the usual periodicity of 64-65 nm, and capillaries. The ultrastructure of the fibrous tissue of the streaks was similar in each patient regardless of the associated chromosome complements, and indistinguishable from that of polycystic and normal ovaries. The finding might suggest that the fibrosis in the streak gonad might be the result and not the cause of the early degeneration of the gonad.