Endocrinological parameters in experimental unilateral undescended testis.
It is a common clinical practice to estimate FSH, LH and testosterone levels in patients with unilateral undescended testis (U/L UDT) as a prognostic pointer to fertility potential. Is this practice correct? To ascertain this aspect, new born rats were operated to create experimental U/L UDT by gubernaculectomy and anchoring the gubernaculum to anterior abdominal wall. Fertility and hormone levels were evaluated later in adult life. Though fertility of rats with U/L UDT was significantly less (p < 0.01) than the controls, no significant alterations were found in the levels of serum testosterone, FSH and LH. Even though variations in the hormone levels may be responsible, to a certain extent, for the decrease in fertility potential in U/L UDT, estimation of sex hormone levels in U/L UDT is not a sensitive indicator of fertility potential. U/L UDT may additionally be affecting fertility through non-endocrinological mechanisms.
Srinivas
M
M
Department of Pediatric Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.
Agarwala
S
S
Jha
P
P
Misro
M M
MM
Mitra
D K
DK
D000818:Animals; D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D005298:Fertility; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone