Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Effect of Synthetic Male Hormone Substance on Descent of Testicles in Human Cryptorchidism.

1938; Volume: 39; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.3181/00379727-39-10069p

0071-3384

John Hamilton, G. Hubert,

Sexual Differentiation and Disorders

Anterior pituitary-like substance has been employed with some degree of success in a certain percentage of cases of cryptorchidism. The action is possibly effected through stimulation of the production of male hormone, since male hormone (androgen) is responsible at least in part for testicular descent in monkeys, rats, and as shown in the present report, humans. Thirty-two cryptorchid males between the ages of 1 1/2 and 27 years received subcutaneous injections of 5 to 20 mg of testosterone propionate 3 to 7 times weekly, the amount being adjusted to the size and age of the individual and the response to the material. Standard tests were used to differentiate spastic from true retention of the testicle, a procedure vital for the evaluation of the results of any therapy. Twelve cases were pseudocryptorchid (spastic retention); 20 presented a state of true cryptorchidism, 8 bilaterally, 12 unilaterally. There was indication of endocrine abnormality in 8, of familial endocrine disturbance in 6. Eight cases of bilateral and 9 of unilateral true cryptorchidism have received what is believed to be an adequate course of treatment, the maximum length of which was 5 months. Descent of the testes with satisfactory placement in the bottom of the scrotum occurred in 1 out of 9 unilateral cases of cryptorchidism, and as follows in the bilateral cases : complete bilateral descent in 3, unilateral descent in 2, partial descent in 2; the remaining case was a hypogonad whose testes were not identified prior to treatment, but after injections, were located in the scrotum. Surgical means employed in 5 unilateral and 2 bilateral cases not responding to hormone treatment, showed adhesions