[Blood testosterone in cryptorchid newborn infants: does it have a prognostic significance?]

Testosterone, LH, FSH, blood levels at birth were determined in 40 Italian true cryptorchid , 12 pseudo-cryptorchid and 71 healthy newborns. Testosterone concentrations were interpreted according to the localisation of the retained testicles. A greater incidence of spontaneous remission of the cryptorchidism was found in those subjects with: 1) testosterone plasma levels overlapping the neonatal range; 2) testicles placed in proximity to the external orifice of the inguinal tunnel. Follow-up of these infants up to 2 years of age will test the hypothesis.