The retractile testis can be a cause of adult infertility.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the functional state of the testes of young adults treated for small and hypotrophic retractile testis at prepubertal age by orchiopexy and/or hormonal therapy and the functional state of the testes of adults with retractile testis.


METHODS
Spermiogram and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study of the semen. Light microscopic and TEM studies of semen and testicular biopsies of adult with retractile testis were performed.


METHODS
Division of Pediatric Surgery in an academic environment.


METHODS
Thirty-eight young adults (mean age, 18 years) treated for retractile testis at prepubertal age and seven adults (mean age, 28 years) with retractile testis.


METHODS
Two cycles of hCG, followed by surgical therapy (orchiopexy) when unsuccessful.


METHODS
Fertility of young adults treated for retractile testis at prepubertal age.


RESULTS
Only 8 of 38 (21%) young adults had normal spermiograms. Five of 38 (13%) were azoospermic and 25 of 38 (66%) were oligoasthenozoospermic with ultrastructural signs of altered maturation of the sperm and a higher number of atypical forms. Of the adults with retractile testis, 2 of 7 (28.5%) were normal, 3 of 7 (43%) were oligoasthenozoospermic, and 2 of 7 (28%) were azoospermic.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data support the hypothesis that prepubertal retractile testis showing signs of reduced consistency and size is a risk factor for adult infertility and requires treatment.
Caucci
M
M
G. Salesi Children's Hospital, Ancona, Italy.
Barbatelli
G
G
Cinti
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology*