Current concepts in the pathophysiology of testicular undescent

At present, we believe that descent of the testes within the human is a complex event mediated by both hormonal and mechanical factors. We hypothesize that descent of the testes occurs as a result of the secretion of an androgen-independent factor from a normal testis (descendin). This paracrine factor is responsible for the rapid proliferation (outgrowth) of the ipsilateral gubernaculum. The development of the gubernaculum results in creating a dilated inguinal canal, the width of which matches the testicular width. Descent of the testes through the inguinal canal is an interplay between abdominal pressure, a patent processus vaginalis, and androgen-induced gubernacular regression. We hypothesize that androgens (under control of an intact hypothalamic pituitary axis) alter the viscoelastic properties of the gubernaculum, reducing the turgidity of the gubernaculum and allowing intra-abdominal pressure to push the testis into the scrotum. Cryptorchidism can therefore result when any one or more of the involved factors malfunction.