CONTEXT: Hormonal dysregulation has been suggested to be one of many etiological factors of cryptorchidism. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis in cryptorchid boys during the postnatal hormonal surge. DESIGN: This was a prospective, longitudinal, population-based study. SETTING: The study was performed at two primary obstetric centers. PARTICIPANTS: Study participants included 388 Finnish and 433 Danish boys (88 and 34 with cryptorchidism, respectively). INTERVENTIONS: Clinical examinations were performed at 0 and 3 months. Blood samples were taken at 3 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures were testis position and reproductive hormone levels. RESULTS: Finnish cryptorchid boys had significantly higher FSH [1.59 (0.50-3.53) vs. 1.30 (0.49-2.92) IU/liter; P < 0.0001] and lower inhibin B [426 (254-770) vs. 459 (266-742) pg/ml; P < 0.015] levels than Finnish control boys [median (2.5th-97.5th percentiles)]. Danish cryptorchid boys had higher FSH levels than controls [1.47 (0.54-3.89) vs. 1.18 (0.41-3.04) IU/liter; P = 0.018]. Inhibin B levels in healthy Danish boys were lower than those in Finnish boys [380 (233-637) pg/ml; P < 0.0001] and were not reduced in Danish crypt-orchid boys [392 (236-672) pg/ml; P = 0.851]. Changes in hormone levels were strongest in boys with severe, persistent cryptorchidism, but were also detectable in mild and transient cryptorchidism. Effects on Leydig cell function were subtle, with an increase in LH in Finnish (but not Danish) cryptorchid boys vs. controls [1.97 (0.77-5.91) vs. 1.75 (0.58-4.04) IU/liter; P < 0.021], but testosterone levels remained within the normal range. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the hypothesis that cryptorchidism is associated with a primary testicular disorder, which could be a cause or a consequence of cryptorchidism. This malfunction is reflected by low inhibin B production in the Finnish cohort and high gonadotropin drive in both the Finnish and Danish cohorts.
CONTEXT: Hormonal dysregulation has been suggested to be one of many etiological factors of cryptorchidism. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis in cryptorchid boys during the postnatal hormonal surge. DESIGN: This was a prospective, longitudinal, population-based study. SETTING: The study was performed at two primary obstetric centers. PARTICIPANTS: Study participants included 388 Finnish and 433 Danish boys (88 and 34 with cryptorchidism, respectively). INTERVENTIONS: Clinical examinations were performed at 0 and 3 months. Blood samples were taken at 3 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures were testis position and reproductive hormone levels. RESULTS: Finnish cryptorchid boys had significantly higher FSH [1.59 (0.50-3.53) vs. 1.30 (0.49-2.92) IU/liter; P < 0.0001] and lower inhibin B [426 (254-770) vs. 459 (266-742) pg/ml; P < 0.015] levels than Finnish control boys [median (2.5th-97.5th percentiles)]. Danish cryptorchid boys had higher FSH levels than controls [1.47 (0.54-3.89) vs. 1.18 (0.41-3.04) IU/liter; P = 0.018]. Inhibin B levels in healthy Danish boys were lower than those in Finnish boys [380 (233-637) pg/ml; P < 0.0001] and were not reduced in Danish crypt-orchid boys [392 (236-672) pg/ml; P = 0.851]. Changes in hormone levels were strongest in boys with severe, persistent cryptorchidism, but were also detectable in mild and transient cryptorchidism. Effects on Leydig cell function were subtle, with an increase in LH in Finnish (but not Danish) cryptorchid boys vs. controls [1.97 (0.77-5.91) vs. 1.75 (0.58-4.04) IU/liter; P < 0.021], but testosterone levels remained within the normal range. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the hypothesis that cryptorchidism is associated with a primary testicular disorder, which could be a cause or a consequence of cryptorchidism. This malfunction is reflected by low inhibin B production in the Finnish cohort and high gonadotropin drive in both the Finnish and Danish cohorts.
Authors: Anders Juul; Kristian Almstrup; Anna-Maria Andersson; Tina K Jensen; Niels Jørgensen; Katharina M Main; Ewa Rajpert-De Meyts; Jorma Toppari; Niels E Skakkebæk Journal: Nat Rev Endocrinol Date: 2014-06-17 Impact factor: 43.330
Authors: Ida N Damgaard; Tina K Jensen; Jørgen H Petersen; Niels E Skakkebaek; Jorma Toppari; Katharina M Main Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2006-12-04 Impact factor: 9.031
Authors: Helle R Andersen; Ida M Schmidt; Philippe Grandjean; Tina K Jensen; Esben Budtz-Jørgensen; Mia B Kjaerstad; Jesper Baelum; Jesper B Nielsen; Niels E Skakkebaek; Katharina M Main Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2008-04 Impact factor: 9.031
Authors: Katharina Maria Main; Hannu Kiviranta; Helena Eeva Virtanen; Erno Sundqvist; Jouni Tapio Tuomisto; Jouko Tuomisto; Terttu Vartiainen; Niels Erik Skakkebaek; Jorma Toppari Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2007-10 Impact factor: 9.031
Authors: Tye E Arbuckle; Russ Hauser; Shanna H Swan; Catherine S Mao; Matthew P Longnecker; Katharina M Main; Robin M Whyatt; Pauline Mendola; Melissa Legrand; Joanne Rovet; Christine Till; Mike Wade; John Jarrell; Stephen Matthews; Guy Van Vliet; Carl-Gustaf Bornehag; Roger Mieusset Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2008-07 Impact factor: 9.031