Histological study on the human gubernaculums in descended and undescended testis

ABSTRACT

The gubernaculum is a fibrous cord connecting the caudal pole of the testis with the scrotum. The regression of the extra-abdominal part of the gubernaculum in prenatal and early stage of postnatal life plays an integral role in testicular descent. Researchers claim that the undescended testis is a condition caused by failure of the gubernaculum to function, particularly in infants suffering from neuromuscular diseases and myopathies. To provide more information on the role of the gubernaculum in testicular descent, the structure of the gubernaculum was examined in cases of descended and undescended testis. The study was performed at both the light and electron microscopic levels. The gubernaculum biopsies were taken from 20 children with undescended testis, the control biopsies were obtained from 5 children [3 and 5 years old] who suffered from inguinal hernia but with descended testis. The specimens were prepared for light and electron microscopic examination. The histological examination revealed that the gubernaculum in 75% of undescended testis contained large amount of fat cells, a small amount of collagen fibers, and wide interstitial spaces, compared to the control group. The results suggest that the lack of testicular descent is probably caused by loss of retractibility of the gubernaculum