Cryptorchidism - morphological anomalies and immunological disorders determining fertility
Article published in Urologia Polska 2004/57/2.

authors

Wojciech Kuzański ¹, Maria Koziarkiewicz ², Jerzy Niedzielski ¹

¹ Klinika Chirurgii i Onkologii Dziecięcej Instytutu Pediatrii Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Łodzi
² Studenckie Koło Naukowe przy Klinice Chirurgii i Onkologii Dziecięcej Instytutu Pediatrii Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Łodzi
Kierownik kliniki: dr hab. Ewa Andrzejewska

keywords

cryptorchidism, gonocyte, spermatogonium, fertility index, antisperm antibodies

summary

introduction

Cryptorchidism is the most common disorder of sexual differentiation in men, depending on unilateral or bilateral absence of testis in a scrotum after birth. Various degrees of hormonal disturbances, testicular morphological maldevelopment and immunological abnormalities accompany this congenital malformation.

aim of the study

The authors review the modern literature and discuss morphological anomalies of undescended testis and autoimmunological phenomena that influence the process of spermatogenesis and fertility of man treated due to cryptorchism in childhood.

conclusion

Considering the knowledge of pathomorphological and immunological changes observed in cryptorchid men, irrespective of primary or secondary character of such malformations, long term observation until childbearing age is necessary. It is also highly recommended to perform semen analysis and andrological consultation of cryptorchid patients when they reach adulthood.