RESUMO
PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship of MIS and cryptorchidism according to the descending level of testis into scrotum, we studied expression degree of MIS by immunohistochemical analysis using anti-human MIS polyclonal antibody in testicular specimen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MIS were stained in excised testis by trauma on each 8 patients as control group and age-matched abdominal, inguinal and prepubic cryptorchidism. The expression were classified as score 1, 2, 3 and 4 according to stained degree of percentage in randomized 16 fields(x400) under the light microscope. RESULTS: Of the degree of MIS expression in control group, 87.5% were category 3 or more. The mean score was 3.13+/-0.62. 2. Of the degree of MIS expression in abdominal type cryptorchid testis group that underwent orchiectomies, 68.7% were category 1. The mean score, 1.31 +/- 0.48, showed significant difference compared to control group(p0.05). 4. Of the degree of MIS expression in prepubic type, 75.0% were category 3 or more. And the mean score, 2.88+/-0.62, showed no significant difference compared to control group(p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Expression of MIS is different according to descending level of testis and may play a role in physiologic changes of testicular descent.