Cryptorchidism: incidence and sperm quality in infertile men

In a population of 8500 men attending the andrology outpatient clinic, 200 men (2.35%) were recorded as having some disturbances with the descent of the testes into the scrotum. Medical history of the patients revealed that 51 underwent unilateral orchidopexy; 40 bilateral orchidopexy; and 24 were treated with human chorionic gonadotropin in order to induce descent of their testes. In addition, 6 patients reported spontaneous descent of the testes, and 13 others were found to be unilaterally cryptorchid upon physical examination. Results of semen analysis, hormonal profile, testes position, and testicular volume were compared to those of 105 proven fertile men. The major finding of this study shows that post-partum undescended testes suffer from primary Sertoli cell malfunction as reflected by elevated serum follicle stimulating hormone levels. Serum luteinizing hormone and testosterone levels were within the normal range. Surgical descent of the testes did not improve sperm production, proved by low sperm quality of all the study groups, compared to the cryptorchid group. Among the patients who were operated on, no correlation was found between age at operation and semen variables. All groups showed poor sperm quality which can be defined as oligoteratoasthenozoospermia. The degree of spermatogenic damage was in the following order of diagnosis or treatment: bilateral orchidopexy greater than cryptorchid testes greater than hormonal treatment greater than unilateral orchidopexy greater than late spontaneous descent of the testes. Thus, it is advisable to postpone surgical treatment of cryptorchidism and apply this only after a waiting period, and if the hormonal approach has failed to descend the testis.