Correlation of pituitary and testicular responses to stimulation tests in cryptorchid children.
LH-RH test and HCG stimulation test were performed in 154 cryptorchid boys aged 1 month to 15 years (64 unilateral and 90 bilateral). Basal plasma LH levels and LH response to LH-RH were significantly lower from infancy to early puberty in cryptorchids compared with controls. Basal FSH levels and FSH response to LH-RH were normal. The post-HCG rise of plasma testosterone was reduced until mid-puberty. A significant positive correlation was found between post-HCG testosterone levels and pre- and post-LH-RH levels of LH. This correlation suggests that testicular maldescent and the decreased ability of Leydig cells to respond to a short course of HCG may result from an early defect or a delay of pituitary LH secretion.
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013737:Testis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone