Cryptorchidism and semen quality: a TEM and molecular study

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Urology
• Andrology

Background:

• Cryptorchidism, the failure of testicular descent, can lead to infertility.
• Surgical correction (orchidopexy) is performed during childhood.
• Long-term effects on semen quality and meiosis require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze semen quality in men treated for childhood cryptorchidism.
• To assess sperm morphology, concentration, motility, and chromosomal status.
• To evaluate the impact of unilateral and bilateral cryptorchidism on reproductive outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Semen analysis using light microscopy (sperm concentration, motility).
• Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for sperm morphology.
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Y microdeletions.
• Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for meiotic analysis.

Main Results:

• Higher azoospermia incidence in bilateral cryptorchidism; better semen parameters in unilateral cases.
• TEM revealed severe sperm pathologies (necrosis, apoptosis) compared to controls.
• FISH indicated significant disturbances in meiotic segregation (gonosome disomies, diploidies).
• No Y microdeletions were detected.

Conclusions:

• Childhood cryptorchidism, even after orchidopexy, causes lasting spermatogenetic impairment.
• Severe sperm pathologies and meiotic abnormalities are common.
• Detailed ultrastructural and chromosomal sperm analyses are recommended before assisted reproductive techniques.