A human testicular teratoma serially transplanted in immune-deprived mice.

Serial transplantation of an HCG-producing human testicular teratoma in immune-deprived mice is described. The xenografted tumour was compared to the tumour of origin in histology, immunohistochemistry (using an immune peroxidase technique to localize HCG) autoradiography, marker production and growth rate. It is concluded that the xenograft retained the characteristics of the original tumour with the exception of a reduction in HCG-producing elements at transplantation beyond 5 serial passages.