The gonadal histopathology

and its correlation with the clinical features has been investigated in 9 true hermaphroditism patients

aged 5-21 yr. Seven of 9 patients had been raised as females

of which the chromosomal karyotype was 46XX in 5 cases

46XX/46XY and 46XX/47XXY in 2 cases. Two of 9 pa- tients were raised as males

the chromosomal karyotypes being 46XX and 46XX/46XY. All 9 patients had testicular tissue excised

and biopsies of the conserved ovarian tissue were performed. Ovotestis was the most common form of the abnormal gonads; two of 9 patients had bilateral ovotestes

seven had unilateral ovotestes （5 in right side

2 in left side）. In seven patients with a unilateral ovotestis

6 had a contralateral ovary and one had a contralateral testis. Microscopically

the ovarian tissue of 11 ovotestes

including 6 biopsies from contealateral ovaris

were normal

with many primordal follicles and a few growing follicles. In two of the patients

aged over 15 years

evidence of ovulation was observed. In comparison

the testicu- lar tissue of the ovotestis and the one left inguinal testis was histologically abnormal

with immature semi- niferous tubules

most of which filled with Sertoli cells only. Three of 9 patients married after surgical treatment. Two of these subsequently conceived and delivered of normal infants by cesarean section.