Abstract
In 73 uni- and bilateral cryptorchid boys (2-13 years of age) LH and FSH response to LH-RH (or long acting LH-RH derivative HOE 766) was assessed. In all patients a testicular biopsy -taken during orchidopexy- was examined by light and electronmicroscopy. Plasma LH increased from 3, 5 to 10, 1 mU/ml and FSH from 1, 5 to 4, 5 mU/ml in response to 100 ug LH-RH, testosterone (mean 0, 48 ng/ml) and E2 (mean < 30 pg/ml) did not increase significantly. In 34/73 patients the LH concentration rose to < 4 mU/ml above the basal value, in 11 plasma LH was not stimulated at all. A pronounced stimulation of FSH of > 4 mU above basal concentration was seen in 30/73 boys. In all biopsies of patients with no LH response, Leydig cells were spare in the interstitium. Collagenization of interstitium and of peritubular connective tissue could not be related to LH and FSH. Unequivocally the number of spermatogonia was reduced and their ultrastructural appearance pathological.
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Hadziselimovic, F., Girard, J. & Herzoc, B. Further support for a gonadotrophine deficiency in cryptorchidism derived from clinical investigations. Pediatr Res 12, 156 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197802000-00064
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197802000-00064