Plasma testosterone in prepubertal cryptorchid boys under long-term HCG therapy

Plasma testosterone concentrations were determined before and after 6 weeks of human chorionic gonadotropin treatment in 36 prepubertal boys with bilateral or unilateral cryptorchidism. Mean +/- SD basal and post-treatment values (ng/100 ml) in the bilateral group were: treatment successful (n = 14): 32 +/- 19 and 302 +/- 49, treatment unsuccessful (n = 12): 20 +/- 15 and 176 +/- 73. The figures for the unilateral group were: treatment successful (n = 6): 23 +/- 9 and 244 +/- 41, treatment unsuccessful (n = 5): 22 +/- 11 and 264 +/- 102. In the bilateral group significant differences in the T response emerged when successfully treated boys were compared to unsuccessfully treated ones. It is concluded that Leydig cell function may be impaired in some cases of cryptorchidism.