title: Molecular Pathology of Cryptorchidism-Induced Infertility.
abstract: Cryptorchidism is the most common cause of non-obstructive azoospermia in man. In contrast to the general belief that temperature-dependent effects on the undescended gonad damage cryptorchid testes before sexual maturation is complete, molecular pathology strongly supports the theory that impaired mini-puberty is responsible for azoospermia and infertility in cryptorchidism. Molecular biological observations favor LH deficiency, with EGR4 as a master regulatory gene in Leydig cell dysgenesis, as the reason for impaired mini-puberty, and recent evidence supports the idea that infertility in cryptorchidism is a consequence of alterations in the Piwi pathway.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Cryptorchidism Research, Kindermedizinisches Zentrum, Liestal, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Maria José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Docampo
authors.forename: Faruk
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hadziselimovic
mesh_terms: D060565:Argonaute Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D053713:Azoospermia / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D051765:Early Growth Response Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000235:genetics*; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000473:pathology; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000172:deficiency; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation; D011627:Puberty / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000172:deficiency
chemical_list: D060565:Argonaute Proteins; C111028:EGR4 protein, human; D051765:Early Growth Response Transcription Factors; C421088:PIWIL1 protein, human; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone