ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study aimed to correlate the presence of microlithiasis (ML) in cryptorchidism (CO) patients with the functionality of Sertoli cells and the arrest of gonocyte differentiation. METHODS: Testicular biopsies were obtained from 21 inguinal CO pediatric patients and were classified in two groups as follows: patients with ML and those without ML. In both groups, the number of Sertoli cells/seminiferous cords and their functionality were determined, considering the concentrations of inhibin B. In addition, the area and the histological alterations of seminiferous epithelium were evaluated. The arrest of gonocyte differentiation was determined by immunoreactivity to SALL4, AP2É£, PLAP and POU5F1. RESULTS: We found a statistical correlation between the presence of ML with the alterations in the functionality of Sertoli cells without reflecting in the differentiation of the gonocytes. CONCLUSION: The study of this population suggests that the association between CO and ML shows a malfunction of the Sertoli cells without necessarily causing arrest in the differentiation of gonocytes in these patients.
