The position and retractibility of the normal testis in childhood with reference to the diagnosis and treatment of cryptorchidism
1968; Elsevier BV; Volume: 3; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/0022-3468(68)90289-3
ISSN1531-5037
Autores Tópico(s)Sperm and Testicular Function
ResumoAbstract The position and retractibility of the testes of 594 boys aged from birth to 16 years has been studied. The cremasteric reflex does not become active until 2 weeks after birth, and the testis cannot be made to retract out of the scrotum until the age of 6 months. From 6 months until the twelfth year fewer than 35 per cent of the testes will remain in the scrotum on stimulation of the cremasteric reflex. The peak of retractibility is reached at 5 and 6 years, after which there is a steady decline, preceding the onset of puberty. With the development of pubertal changes the cremasteric reflex is largely abolished. The declining retractibility of the normal testis from the age of 6 suggests that the hormonal changes which are eventually manifest as the outward signs of puberty may commence as early as the sixth year.
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