Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 17, 2026

Z-Scores for Assessing Ovarian Reserve in Young Patients Undergoing Fertility Preservation
Published on: October 25, 2024
Hormonal treatment may harm the germ cells in 1 to 3-year-old boys with cryptorchidism
D Cortes1, J Thorup, J Visfeldt
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Purpose:
Hormonal treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) or gonadotropin releasing hormone may be given initially for cryptorchidism. We evaluated whether hormonal treatment is safe for the germ cells in boys with cryptorchidism 1 to 3 years old in whom follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and testosterone values are normally low.
Materials And Methods:
We measured the number of spermatogonia per tubule at orchiopexy in 72 consecutive boys with cryptorchidism who underwent simultaneous testicular biopsy. In 19 patients gonadotropin releasing hormone was unsuccessful, while 8 received HCG and 45 underwent orchiopexy without hormonal therapy. Groups were otherwise equal.
Results:
Patients who underwent surgery only had a higher number of spermatogonia per tubule than those in whom hormonal treatment was unsuccessful (p<0.05). Spermatogonia per tubule values were normal only after surgery alone (p = 0.06). Gonadotropin releasing hormone and HCG influenced germ cells equally.
Conclusions:
In 1 to 3-year-old boys with cryptorchidism gonadotropin releasing hormone or HCG given for testicular descent may suppress the number of germ cells.
Related Concept Videos
Infertility in Males
Spermatogenesis
Disorders of the Male Reproductive System
Prostate disorders are another major concern. These conditions can impair urinary flow due to the prostate's location around the urethra. Symptoms...
Birth Control Methods
Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle. At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...
The Y Chromosome Determines Maleness
Evolution
Around 300 million years ago, the two sex chromosomes diverged from two identical autosomal chromosomes. Over time, the Y chromosome has lost most of its genes, shrinking in size. Today,...
