Ultrastructure of a virilizing ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell

A case of virilizing ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor in a young female was studied by light and electron microscopy. The ultrastructural findings were similar to those reported in the literature and suggest the presence of two types of cells which have a common origin. The patient's aunt and grandmother had had similar tumors; the one in the aunt proved malignant. The English literature review revealed the familial occurrence of virilizing ovarian tumor in only two previous cases. Virus-like particles were seen in our case and the significance of this observation was discussed.