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Risk factors for undescended testis.

T W Davies, D R Williams, R H Whitaker

International Journal of Epidemiology

|June 1, 1986

Summary

Undescended testis in boys is not linked to maternal estrogen excess. Instead, impaired placental function and reduced human chorionic gonadotropin may cause this condition.

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Area of Science:

Reproductive Endocrinology
Pediatric Urology
Obstetrics

Background:

The etiology of undescended testis (cryptorchidism) remains incompletely understood.
Previous hypotheses have implicated hormonal imbalances during pregnancy, such as maternal estrogen excess.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the association between maternal pregnancy factors and the occurrence of undescended testis in male infants.
To test the hypothesis of maternal estrogen excess as a cause of undescended testis.
To explore alternative explanations for undescended testis based on observed pregnancy and fertility patterns.

Main Methods:

A case-control study was conducted comparing 83 mothers of boys with undescended testis to 129 mothers of unaffected boys.
Data collected included details of the index pregnancy, maternal obstetric history, and postnatal events.
Statistical analysis was used to compare pregnancy characteristics between cases and controls.

Main Results:

No significant differences were found in maternal nausea, vomiting, or hypertension between case and control groups.
Mothers of boys with undescended testis showed an increased incidence of threatened abortion and a history of previous miscarriages.
Evidence suggested decreased fertility and fewer deliberate terminations in mothers of affected boys.

Conclusions:

The hypothesis of maternal estrogen excess causing undescended testis was not supported.
Impaired placental function leading to reduced human chorionic gonadotropin secretion is proposed as an alternative hypothesis.
This placental dysfunction may affect fetal testicular development and lead to maldescent.
Boys with undescended testis had a higher incidence of childhood illnesses, including asthma, eczema, jaundice, and feeding difficulties.

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