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Surgical specimens from 60 Japanese women with breast cancer were studied histochemically to detect estrogen receptors (ER). Forty-six were analyzed in a double blind study designed to compare the histochemical method using fluorescent estradiol conjugate for detection of ER (FITC method) with findings in case of the currently employed dextran coated charcoal (DCC method) techniques. The ER test was positive in 39 (65 percent) of the 60 cases studied by FITC method. Of the 46 cases analysed in a double blind study, 41 (89.8 percent) showed the same results. Of the 5 with inconsistent test results, 2 showed positive DCC and negative FITC, and 3, negative DCC and positive FITC. According to the histologic type, the FITC method demonstrated a low positive ER response rate in scirrhous cases (57 per cent), whereas the positive rate was 67 percent among papillotubular-type cases and 65 percent among medullary tubular-type cases. In relation to menstrual status, the positive rates were 68 percent and 64 percent among premenopausal and postmenopausal women, respectively. However, in relation to tumor size, no difference was noted in the positive response rate by either method. Therefore, both the DCC and FITC methods are clinically useful to determine the indications for hormone therapy.

cDNA clones specific for the fourth component of mouse complement (C4) and its hormonally regulated isotype, sex-linked protein (Slp), were isolated using as a probe a 20-mer synthetic oligonucleotide corresponding to a known sequence of human C4 cDNA. Two types of clones, one specific for C4 (pFC4/10, with a 3.7 kilobase insert) and one specific for Slp (pFSlp/1, with a 4.7 kilobase insert), were isolated from liver cDNA libraries constructed from the Slp-producing FM mouse strain. The cDNA inserts of these clones shared 70% of the restriction sites determined. Only one type of clone was isolated from the Slp-negative DBA/1 strain; this type showed restriction maps indistinguishable from that of pFC4/10. pFC4/10 and pFSlp/1 displayed extensive homology: 94% nucleotide homology and 89% derived amino acid homology in the C4a region and 92% nucleotide homology and 89% derived amino acid homology in the thiol-ester region. An Arg-Gln-Lys-Arg sequence in the beta-alpha junction and a Cys-Ala-Glu-Gln sequence in the thiol-ester site were identified for both proteins. A remarkable divergency between C4 and Slp sequences was recognized in the region immediately following the C4a sequence.

Gonadal function was evaluated in 64 persons homozygous for the HLA-linked hemochromatosis allele. Of 41 men, 10 had reduced libido or impotence and 6 had testicular atrophy. Before treatment, 5 men had below normal testosterone concentrations, 4 of whom also had low gonadotrophin levels. Four hypogonadal men were reevaluated after iron depletion treatment. In 2, 1 with primary and another with secondary hypogonadism, testosterone levels returned to normal after phlebotomy and were accompanied by a return of normal sexual function. None of 23 women with hemochromatosis had loss of libido or had a natural menopause before age 45. Our findings indicate that in some men with hereditary hemochromatosis and hypogonadism of either testicular or central origin, sexual function and sex hormone concentrations can be restored to normal after iron depletion therapy.