Correlation between histopathological findings and hormonal assay in cases of imperfectly descended testis at different age groups

ABSTRACT

30 cases of imperfectly descended testes, either unilateral or bilateral, at different sites of arrest and from different age groups were studied. Full clinical assessment, hormonal assay of testosterone, LH and FSH, as well as histopathological study of operative testicular biopsies at orchiopexy were done. Prepubertal group [67%] showed lower levels of testosterone and LH than normal, while FSH was within normal. Postpubertal group [33%] showed low normal testosterone and LH, with a higher FSH level in most cases which suggested a possible testicular damage. Histopathological changes in the prepubertal group started to appear at age of about 3 years and became evident at age of about 5 years in form of increase in intertubular connective tissue with only spermatogenia and Sertoli cells present in sections. This was associated in all cases with the increase in age. Postpubertal group showed also marked increase in inter-tubular connective tissue with shrunken or fibrotic most tubules, but a picture of major germ cells injury was evident, i.e. no spermatids or spermatozoa in sections. It was concluded that the recommended age for the operation is 3 years at which the pathological changes start to appear and increase progressively with age