Abstract
Between May 1993 and November 1995, 71 cryptorchid boys were treated with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG); 42 were operated upon following unsuccesful hCG treatment. A routine orchiopexy was performed in each case. In 10 cases a testicular biopsy was made during orchipexy within 3 days following hCG treatment; in another 10 biopsies were taken 6 to 9 months after treatment. Testicular biosies were taken at the time of orchiopexy in 5 cryptorchid boys who were not treated with hCG as a control group. A mild, inflammation-like reaction was found in the cryptorchid testes in the period immediately following the last hCG injections, but those studied 6 to 9 months after the last injection there were no apparent such reactions. In contrast to the inflammation-like reaction, the volume density of blood vessels, interstitial bleeding, and diameter of the seminiferous tubules had not regressed. The numbers of spermatogonia per tubular transverse section and the percentage of tubular transverse sections containing spermatogonia (the fertility index) were increased.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bay V, Bierich JR, Hecker WC., et al (1974) Kleine Mitteilungen. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 98: 549
Berg A, Widmark A, Damber JE, et al (1986) Are leukocytes involved in the human chorionic gonadotropin induced increase in testicular vascular permeability. Endocrinology 119: 586–589
Berg A, Rooth P, Widmarks A, et al (1987) Treatment of rats with hCG induced inflammation-like changes in the testicular microcirculation. J Reprod Fert 79: 135–143
Bica TDG, Hadziselimovic F (1992) Buserelin treatment of cryptorchidism: a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study. J Urol 148: 617–620
Bica TDG, Hadziselimovic F (1993) The behavior of epididymis, processus vaginalis and testicular descent in cryptorchid boys treated with buserelin. Eur J Pediatr 152 [Suppl 2]: 938
Christiansen P, Miller J, Buhl S, et al (1988) Treatment of cryptorchidism with human chorionic gonadotropin or gonadotropin releasing hormone. Horm Res 30: 187–192
Cortes D (1990) Histological versus sterological methods applied at spermatogonia during normal human development. Scand J Urol Nephrol 24: 11–15
Damber JE, Berg A, Daehlin L (1985) Testicular blood flow, vascular permeability, and testosterone production after stimulation of unilaterally cryptorchid adult rats with human chorionic gonadotropin. Endocrinology 117: 1906–1913
Fonkalsrud EW (1986) Undescended testes. In Welch KJ, Randolph JG, Ravitch MM, O'Neil, Jr. JA, Rowe MI (eds) Pediatric surgery. Year Book Medical Publishers, Chicago, pp 793–807
Hadziselimovic F, Huff D, Duckett J, et al (1987) Long term effect of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue (buserelin) on cryptorchid testis. J Urol 138: 1043–1045
Hjertkvist M, Berg A, Damber JE (1988) HCG treatment increases intratesticular pressure in the abdominal testis of unilaterally cryptorchid rats. J Androl 9: 116–120
Hjerkvist M, Läckgren G, Plöen L, et al (1993) Does hCG treatment induce inflammation-like changes in undescended testes in boys? J Pediatr Surg 28: 254–258
Kerr JB, Sharpe RM (1989) Focal disruption of spermatogenesis in the testis of adults rats after a single administration of human chorionic gonadotropin. Cell Tissue Res 257: 163–169
Lalo R, Motarazzo P, Chiabatto P, et al (1993) Combined therapy with LHRH and HCG in crypyorchid infants. Eur J Pediatr 152[Suppl 2]: 931
Leon MD, Chiauzzi VA, Caluo JC, et al (1987) Acute hCG administration induced seminiferous tubule damage in adult rats. Acta Physiol Pharmacol Latinoam 37: 277–288
Rojfer J, Handelsman DJ, Swerdlofg RS, et al (1986) Hormonal therapy of cryptorchidism: a randomized, double-blind study comparing human chorionic gonadotropin and gonadotropin releasing hormone. N Eng J Med 314: 466–470
Rozanski TA, Bloom DA (1995) The undescended testis. Urol Clin North Am 22: 107–118
Sharpe RM (1984) Intratesticular factors controlling testicular function. Biol Reprod 30: 29–49
Urban MD, Lee PA, Lanes R, et al (1987) HCG stimulation in children with cryptorchidism. Clin Pediatr 26: 512–515
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Demirbilek, S., Atayurt, H.F., Çelik, N. et al. Does treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin induce reversible changes in undescended testes in boys?. Pediatr Surg Int 12, 591–594 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01371906
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01371906