EFFECT OF GONADOTROPIC EXTRACT OF THE PITUITARY IN CRYPTORCHIDISM

Abstract

Cryptorchidism is a congenital failure of descent of one or of both testicles in the male. The position of these glands may be, first, in the peritoneal cavity; secondly, in the inguinal canals, and, thirdly, a migratory type in which the testicles alternate between the lower inguinal canals and just outside the external inguinal rings. In the last type the testicles may descend into the upper part of the scrotum when the patient is relaxed, but any manipulation such as palpation causes their withdrawal into the canals. Etiology for failure of testicular descent may be divided into (1) obstructive conditions and (2) endocrine disorders. The obstructive factors are well known. That the anterior pituitary (gonadotropic) hormone is necessary for gonadal development has been conclusively proved. Aschheim and Zondek,¹found both an estrogenic and a gonadotropic substance in the urine of pregnant women. For a while it was thought that