Hormonal changes in 3-month-old cryptorchid boys

: Suomi AM, Main KM, Kaleva M, Schmidt IM, Chellakooty M, Virtanen HE, Boisen KA, Damgaard IN, Kai CM, Skakkebaek NE, Toppari J

: 2006

: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism

: The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism

: J Clin Endocrinol Metab

: 91

: 3

: 953

: 8

: 6

: 0021-972X

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2004-2318

Clinical examinations were performed at 0 and 3 months. Blood samples were taken at 3 months.\nStudy participants included 388 Finnish and 433 Danish boys (88 and 34 with cryptorchidism, respectively).\nFinnish cryptorchid boys had significantly higher FSH [1.59 (0.50-3.53) vs. 1.30 (0.49-2.92) IU/liter; P < 0.0001] and lower inhibin B [426 (254-770) vs. 459 (266-742) pg/ml; P < 0.015] levels than Finnish control boys [median (2.5th-97.5th percentiles)]. Danish cryptorchid boys had higher FSH levels than controls [1.47 (0.54-3.89) vs. 1.18 (0.41-3.04) IU/liter; P = 0.018]. Inhibin B levels in healthy Danish boys were lower than those in Finnish boys [380 (233-637) pg/ml; P < 0.0001] and were not reduced in Danish crypt-orchid boys [392 (236-672) pg/ml; P = 0.851]. Changes in hormone levels were strongest in boys with severe, persistent cryptorchidism, but were also detectable in mild and transient cryptorchidism. Effects on Leydig cell function were subtle, with an increase in LH in Finnish (but not Danish) cryptorchid boys vs. controls [1.97 (0.77-5.91) vs. 1.75 (0.58-4.04) IU/liter; P < 0.021], but testosterone levels remained within the normal range.\nThe main outcome measures were testis position and reproductive hormone levels.\nOur results support the hypothesis that cryptorchidism is associated with a primary testicular disorder, which could be a cause or a consequence of cryptorchidism. This malfunction is reflected by low inhibin B production in the Finnish cohort and high gonadotropin drive in both the Finnish and Danish cohorts.\nHormonal dysregulation has been suggested to be one of many etiological factors of cryptorchidism.\nThe objective of this study was to assess the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis in cryptorchid boys during the postnatal hormonal surge.\nThis was a prospective, longitudinal, population-based study.\nThe study was performed at two primary obstetric centers.\nINTERVENTIONS\nPARTICIPANTS\nRESULTS\nMAIN OUTCOME MEASURES\nCONCLUSIONS\nCONTEXT\nOBJECTIVES\nDESIGN\nSETTING