PUBERAL MATURATION OF THE NORMAL HUMAN TESTIS. A HISTOLOGIC STUDY

ABSTRACT A histologic study was made of testicular biopsy specimens obtained from 13 normal youths 9 to 16 years old, in order to determine the pattern of the maturation which takes place in the normal testis during the period ranging from prepuberal age until adulthood. Observations on the tubular content, tubular wall and intertubular connective tissue, indicated three degrees of maturation: 1) the beginning of puberal development, 2) an intermediate degree between the puberal and adult structure, and 3) testes which have practically reached adulthood. In testes showing the first degree of maturation, three stages of lobular evolution were observed. Organization of the tubular wall became manifest in two well differentiated zones, i.e., basal membrane and tunica propria. A definite sequence was observed in the development of the three component parts: amorphous substance, fibers and cells. In the course of testicular maturation the amorphous substance was replaced by reticular fibers and, at the same ti...