Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026

CRISPR Gene Editing Tool for MicroRNA Cluster Network Analysis
Published on: April 25, 2022
Shorter androgen receptor CAG repeat lengths associated with cryptorchidism risk among Hispanic white boys
Carol Davis-Dao1, Chester J Koh, Brian E Hardy
1Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, 1441 Eastlake Avenue, MC-9175, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA.
Context:
Cryptorchidism is the most frequent congenital malformation among males, the major established risk factor for testicular germ cell tumors, and a presumed infertility risk factor. Androgens are essential for testicular descent, and functional genetic polymorphisms in the androgen receptor gene (AR) are postulated to influence cryptorchidism risk.
Objective:
The aim of the study was to investigate whether the CAG repeat length polymorphism in exon 1 of the AR is associated with cryptorchidism risk.
Design And Setting:
We conducted a family-based genotype-risk association study employing the transmission disequilibrium test for genotypic variants transmitted on the X-chromosome at a university-affiliated regional children's hospital.
Participants:
We studied 127 Hispanic boys with persistent cryptorchidism and comorbidities described in detail and their biological mothers.
Intervention:
Genotypes defined by number of CAG repeats were measured for each member of participating son-mother pairs.
Main Outcome Measure:
Associations between CAG tract length genotype and cryptorchidism risk were estimated using matched-pairs logistic regression.
Results:
Cryptorchidism risk was significantly associated with shorter CAG repeats [CAG≤19 vs. CAG≥20, odds ratio (OR)=0.44; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.23-0.88]. This association was restricted to cryptorchidism with accompanying comorbidities, which was primarily hernia [CAG≤19 vs. CAG≥20, OR=0.35 (95% CI, 0.16-0.78)], and was strongest for bilateral cryptorchidism [CAG≤19 vs. CAG≥20, OR=0.09 (95% CI, 0.010-0.78)].
Conclusions:
Androgen receptor genotypes encoding moderate functional variation may influence cryptorchidism risk, particularly among boys with bilateral nondescent or congenital hernia, and may explain in part the elevated risk of testicular seminoma experienced by ex-cryptorchid boys. Mechanistic research is warranted to examine both classical and nonclassical mechanisms through which androgens may influence risk of cryptorchidism and related conditions.
More Related Videos
08:22A Robust Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Assay for Quantifying Cytosine-guanine-guanine Trinucleotide Repeats in Fragile X Mental Retardation-1 Gene
Published on: September 16, 2019
03:49Anogenital Distance and Perineal Measurements of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) Quantification System
Published on: September 20, 2018
Related Concept Videos
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,...
Sex-linked Disorders
X-linked Traits
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...
X and Y Chromosomes
The germline cells such as egg and sperm cells carry only half the number of chromosomes, i.e., 22 autosomes and one sex chromosome. All eggs have an X chromosome, while sperm cells can carry an X or...
Conduct Disorder