Cryptorchid and Scrotal Human Testes. I. Cytological, Cytochemical and Quantitative Studies

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Abstract
Quantitative studies concerning the variation in cell population and cytochemical characteristics of the undescended testis at different ages were carried out in 58 cases of unilateral cryptorchidism. This population was compared with 40 of the contralateral scrotal testes and with 55 testes of normal subjects of similar age. The cryptorchid testis showed arrest of development of the germinal epithelium and Serotoli cells which started at early infancy and reached a maximum in adulthood. At puberty, decreased extravascular diffusion of serum proteins and fibrotic changes were noted in the stromal connective tissue; these changes reached a maximum in adulthood. No differences were observed, at any age, in the Leydig cells of the cryptorchid testes as compared to those of the contralateral and/or of the testes of normal subjects. It is assumed that the arrest of development of the germinal epithelium and the progressive alterations observed in the stromal connective tissue are responsible for the irreparable damage observed in the cryptorchid testis in adulthood.