RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the impact of hCG on the epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the phallic tissues of hypospadiac mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The Kunming mouse model of congenital hypospadias was established. As controls, 10 three-week-old normal male mice and 10 3-week-old congenital hypospadiac mice were injected with isometric sodium chloride intraperitoneally. Another 40 mice with hypospadias were divided into 4 groups and injected intraperitoneally with 50 IU, 100 IU, 150 IU and 200 IU of hCG respectively per day for 7 days. Then the concentration of ECG in the phallus and in the serum were assayed by ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The EGF level in the phallus of the hypospadiac mice was much lower than that of the controls statistically (P < 0. 05). After the injection of exogenous hCG, the concentration of ECG increased with the dose of hCG, 50 IU (59.57 +/- 22.16) pg/ml, 100 IU (57.97 +/- 9.59) pg/ml, 150 IU (73.02 +/- 31.35) pg/ml and 200 IU (92.45 +/- 35.74) pg/ml. The concentration of ECG showed no significant difference between the control group and the 150 IU and 2000 IU groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Decreased concentration of EGF in the mouse phallus may be associated with the pathogeny of hypospadias. A proper dose of exogenous hCG may increase the concentration of EGF in the mouse phallus.</p>