HYPOPHYSO-GONADAL FUNCTION IN THE CRYPTORCHID CHILD: DIFFERENCES BETWEEN UNILATERAL AND BILATERAL CRYPTORCHIDS

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Abstract
In 22 normal boys, 33 unilateral and 14 bilateral cryptorchids, a gonadal function test (2000 IU of HCG [human chorionic gonadotropin] i.m. each a day for 3 days, and assays of plasma testosterone and plasma estradiol-17.beta. before and after the HCG administration) and an LH-RH [luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone] test were carried out. In 60% of the cases, both normal and cryptorchid boys, plasma estradiol-17.beta. (both in basal conditions and after stimulus) were less than the sensitivity (5 pg/ml) of the method. While the plasma testosterone was similar under basal conditions in the 3 groups of children, after HCG it was significantly lower than the mean value of the control group only in the bilateral cryptorchids. The testosterone levels, both under basal conditions and after stimulus, are correlated to bone age only in the normal boys and in the unilateral cryptorchids. There were no significant differences among the various groups for either LH [luteinizing hormone] and FSH [follicle-stimulating hormone] both under basal conditions and after LH-RH. The LH curve area during the LH-RH test is in correlation with bone age only in the normal children.

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