title: Prepubertal serum inhibin B in cryptorchid infants and in monorchid boys with compensatory testicular hypertrophy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the prepubertal serum inhibin B levels in monorchid boys with compensatory testicular hypertrophy (CTH) and in surgically treated cryptorchid boys with normal testicular volume.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pediatric Division, University of Verona, Italy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two prepubertal boys: 11 monorchids with CTH and 21 cryptorchids. For comparison we analyzed 15 healthy boys.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients underwent a GnRH agonist test. Inhibin B measurement was performed at basal time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant difference in mean testicular volume between monorchid and cryptorchid or healthy children, with boys with CTH evidencing larger testicle volume. There was no significant difference in inhibin B levels between boys with CTH and cryptorchid, but the levels were significantly lower in both groups than in the control group. Boys with CTH had significantly higher serum levels of basal FSH than children with cryptorchid. The FSH peak response to GnRH agonist stimulation was significantly higher in boys with CTH than in those with cryptorchid.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Monorchid infants with CTH showed low inhibin B and high FSH levels. Our finding may confirm the hypothesis that CTH is unable to prevent testicular insufficiency in adulthood. We suggest an early hormonal evaluation of boys with CTH at puberty, together with early sperm analysis.
authors.affiliation: Mother and Child, Biology-Genetics Department, Division of Pediatrics, University of Verona, Verona, Italy. gaudino@univr.it
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gaudino
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cavarzere
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Camilot
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Teofoli
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zampieri
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tatò
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D043373:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human / Q000097:blood; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood*; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011627:Puberty; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D017329:Triptorelin Pamoate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013521:Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male
chemical_list: D043373:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human; C422364:inhibin B; D017329:Triptorelin Pamoate; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013739:Testosterone; D007265:Inhibins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone