Possible testicular 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency in cryptorchid neonates.

In order to explain the impaired neonatal secretion of testosterone (T) in cryptorchid neonates, plasma levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), precursors of T, and T were measured in bilateral cryptorchid and control babies from the first to the 90th day of life. RIA of steroids was performed after plasma ether extraction and celite ethylen glycole column chromatography. In comparison to the neonatal period, plasma LH, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA), and T were increased in both groups at the 60th day, although cryptorchids showed significantly lower T level (1018 +/- 168 pg/ml) than controls (1985 +/- 410 pg/ml, p less than 0.001). At the same time, androstenedione (A) and 17 alpha-hydroxy-progesterone (17P) remained unchanged. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) concentrations were higher in cryptorchids in the neonatal period, and increased in both groups at the second to third month of life. The T/DHT ratio was significantly higher in cryptorchids in all age groups. These data indicate that (1) neonatal T formation probably occurs through the delta 5 pathway; (2) impaired T secretion in cryptorchid neonates could be due to a deficiency of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase; and (3) cryptorchid neonates exhibit an elevated 5 alpha-reductase activity of unknown origin.

[Serum calcitonin in full-term infants]. / Calcitonina serica nel neonato a termine.

Determination of calcium (Ca) calcitonin (CT) secretion in mother during labour and their newborns during the first hours of life was carried out. Mean serum levels of Ca decreased after the birth. Mean serum level of Ct was higher in the cord blood comparing with mothers blood. These levels increased after the 6th hour and reached the peak at the 12nd hour. After the 24th hour the CT levels decreased significantly although at the 48th hour they remained higher than those in the cord blood.

Failure of dexamethasone and ACTH to suppress plasma testosterone in cryptorchid boys.

Cryptorchid boys show evident alterations in the fine structure of the testes, although they respond in a normal manner to various tests of endocrine function. On the other hand, there is evidence that glucocorticoids suppress plasma testosterone levels, although the mechanism is unknown. Eight control subjects and 8 bilaterally cryptorchid boys, at P1 stage of sexual maturation, were therefore studied by determining the degree of testosterone suppression induced by glucocorticoids. The subjects were submitted to a short dexamethasone (DXM) suppression (1.5 + 0.5 mg at 20.00 and 24.00 h, respectively) and to a short iv ACTH stimulation (1 U/m2 body surface). Basal concentrations of cortisol, androstenedione and testosterone were similar in both groups. Cortisol and androstenedione responded to both DXM suppression and ACTH stimulation in an identical manner in the two groups. DXM lowered the basal levels of testosterone by 46.4 +/- 5.8% (mean +/- SE) in the controls, but only by 6.9 +/- 6.6% in the cryptorchid boys (P less than 0.001). ACTH only induced a significant decrease in the controls (from 110.9 +/- 18.5 to 61.4 +/- 10.9 and 72.3 +/- 11.8 pg/ml (P less than 0.025), after respectively 20 and 30 min), while no significant differences were found in the cryptorchid subjects. These data indicate that in bilateral cryptorchidism, plasma T is not affected by exogenous (DXM) or endogenous (cortisol) glucocorticoids.

Testicular microliths: their origin and structure.

Light and electron microscopic studies were done on microliths in unilateral undescended testes to determine the origin and structure. The microliths seem to originate from degenerating intratubular cells and consist of a central calcified core surrounded by concentric layers of connective fibers.