The germ cell - oncogenic and embryogenic correlates.

This study is based on 100 consecutive germ cell tumors of the gonads, received during a 5-year period. Benign teratomas, with totipotent differentiation are the commonest ovarian germ cell tumors, whereas the nullipotent germinomas from the bulk of the testicular tumors. Differentiation in the rapidly proliferating testicular teratomas, occurs in the form of embryoid bodies and organoid structures. From an analysis of the germ cell tumors it is evident that the ovum confers differentiating functions on the zygote, while the spermatozoon confers functions of organization and proliferation. This difference in the behavior of the 2 germ cells is due to local feedbacks within the cortical and medullary zones of the gonads.