Histologic changes of contralateral scrotal testicle in theunilateral cryptorchidism / 대한비뇨기과학회지

ABSTRACT

Histomorphologic study was performed on bilaterally testicular biopsies of 30 preadolescent patient with unilateral cryptorchidism so as to understand pathophysiology of the increased incidence or infertility, seen in unilateral cryptorchidism. The results demonstrated delayed and defective transformation of gonocytes to spermatogonia, delayed or failed transformation of spermatogonia to primary spermatocyte and decreased numbers of Leydig cells. These abnormalities were present in the unilaterally cryptorchid testis and their contralateral descended partners but they were more serious and earlier onset in the cryptorchid testis. That is to say, blunted surge in gonadotropins triggers atrophy of Leydig cells leading to delayed and defective maturation of germ cells leading to decreased numbers of germ cells. These findings are compatible with the hypothesis that hypo gonadotropic hypogonadism is the cause of cryptorchidism.