Plasma Testosterone in Prepubertal Cryptorchid Boys under Long-Term HCG Therapy

Abstract

Plasma testosterone concentrations were determined before and after 6 wk of human chorionic gonadotropin treatment in 36 prepubertal boys with bilateral or unilateral cryptorchidism. Mean .+-. SD basal and post-treatment values (ng/100 ml) in the bilateral group were: treatment successful (n = 14): 32 .+-. 19 and 302 .+-. 49, treatment unsuccessful (n = 12): 20 .+-. 15 and 176 .+-. 73. The figures for the unilateral group were: treatment successful (n = 6): 23 .+-. 9 and 244 .+-. 41, treatment unsuccessful (n = 5): 22 .+-. 11 and 264 .+-. 102. In the bilateral group significant differences in the T [testosterone] response emerged when successfully treated boys were compared to unsuccessfully treated ones. Leydig cell function may be impaired in some cases of cryptorchidism.