Comparative study of the fertility potential of men with only one testis.
The fertility potential of 54 men aged between 19 and 42 years, who had undergone unilateral orchidectomy was evaluated. In all cases the remaining testis was of normal volume and consistency. The patients were divided into four groups according to the cause of the orchidectomy: group I--cryptorchism (n = 19), group II--testicular torsion (n = 14), group III--testicular cancer (n = 12) and group IV--accidental (n = 9). The time between orchidectomy and seminal analysis varied from 6 months to 30 years (median 5 years). All semen samples were examined at the same laboratory, and no differences in sperm concentration were found among the groups. 53% in group I, 57% in group II, 50% in group III, and 56% in group IV had sperm counts of less than 20 million/ml. Our results suggest that unilateral orchidectomy leads to a considerable decrease in fertility potential, whatever the reason for it.
Division of Urology/State University of Campinas Medical School, Brazil.
U
U
Ferreira
N R
NR
Netto Júnior
S C
SC
Esteves
M A
MA
Rivero
C
C
Schirren
D000328:Adult; D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D005298:Fertility; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D009919:Orchiectomy; D013076:Sperm Count; D013086:Spermatic Cord Torsion / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D013737:Testis / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone