Abstract
Forty-eight boys with uni- (n=40) or bilateral (n=8) cryptorchidism were followed during the first year of life with informed consent of the parents. 24 of them in study within the first 3 mo of life (<3 mo). Evaluation at 3, 6, 9 and 12 mo. LH-RH tests (100ug LH-RH i.v.) and basal testosterone (T) values were obtained at 3, 6 and 12 mo. An HCG test (1500 IU HCG i.m.) with determination of T, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and steroid precursors (P, 17OH-P, Δ 4, DHEA-S, 17OH-Preg) was performed at 12 mo of age. Age-matched control values were obtained in healthy children (C): T:n=144; LH-RH test: n=9; HCG test: n=7. RESULTS: 29 boys remained cryptorchid (gr I). In 19 boys (20 testes) a spontaneous descent occurred (gr II). Of the 24 boys in study < 3 mo spontaneous descent occurred in 12 boys (12 testes). From the age of 80 days on no significant differences could be found for transversal T, basal and peak LH and peak FSH serum values between gr I, II and C, nor for the same but longitudinal values between gr I and II. A positive correlation (p=< 0.01 ) was found between the basal LH/T ratio as well as peak LH/T ratio and age in gr I and II. No differences were found in gr I, II and C for basal and peak T, DHT, P, 17OH-P, Δ4, DHEA-S and 17OH-Preg. WE CONCLUDE that spontaneous descent during the first year of life occurs in 40-50% of all cases. Our hormonal data do not support the theory of a insufficient hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis in cryptorchid infants. Neither testosterone biosynthesis disorders nor enzyme inhibitions were found.
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de Muinck Keizer, S., Hazebroek, F., Drop, S. et al. CLINICAL AND HORMONAL EVALUATION OF BOYS BORN WITH UNDESCENDED TESTES DURING THEIR FIRST YEAR OF LIFE. Pediatr Res 20, 1183 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198611000-00056
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198611000-00056