Evaluation of low-dose hCG treatment for cryptorchidism

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of low-dose hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) (500 IU/week for 3 weeks) in the treatment of cryptorchidism and in the assessment of Leydig cell functions. We include 35 male patients who had been diagnosed with cryptorchidism by the pediatric endocrinology specialist in the study. Twenty-one cases (Group I) received 500 IU/week of hCG while 14 patients (Group II) received 1500 IU/m2 three times a week, both for three weeks. The percentage of testis descent was calculated for both groups for the right and left testes. Leydig cell functions were evaluated by the pre- and post-treatment measurement of plasma testosterone level in all cases. A delta testosterone greater than 100 was considered to be a sufficient response. Among our patients, 77% had unilateral and 23% bilateral cryptorchidism. Unilateral cryptorchidism was detected in 80.9% of Group I patients and 71.4% of Group II patients. The pre-treatment percentages for Group I of right- and left-sided cryptorchidism were 81% and 38.1%, respectively, which decreased to 23.8% and 9.5% after treatment. The pre-treatment percentages for Group II of right- and left-sided cryptorchidism were 57.1% and 71.4%, respectively, which decreased to 14.3% and 35.7% after treatment. The success rate of hCG treatment, as defined by the testis descending into the scrotum, was 66.7% for Group I and 57.1% for Group II (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups when Leydig cell functions were assessed. In conclusion, it is possible to use low-dose hCG for the treatment of cryptorchidism and the assessment of Leydig cell functions.