Eur J Pediatr Surg 2009; 19(6): 388-391
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1241171
Original Article

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Sperm Count of Young Men Surgically Treated for Cryptorchidism in the First and Second Year of Life: Fertility is Better in Children Treated at a Younger Age

F. Canavese1 , A. Mussa2 , M. Manenti3 , M. G. Cortese4 , L. Ferrero4 , G. Tuli4 , R. Macchieraldo1 , R. Lala5
  • 1Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Torino, Italy
  • 2University of Torino, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Torino, Italy
  • 3Sant’Anna Hospital, Division of Andrology, Torino, Italy
  • 4Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Turin, Italy
  • 5Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Turin, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

received May 15, 2009 accepted after revision July 30, 2009

Publication Date:
13 October 2009 (online)

Abstract

Introduction: Recent data has indicated the usefulness of performing orchiopexy in the first years of life. In this study, we evaluated testicular function in young men operated on for cryptorchidism in the first year of life. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the effects of such an early treatment.

Materials and methods: Testicular function was assessed in a group of young men operated for cryptorchidism during the first year of life (Group A, n=13) and during the second year of life (Group B, n=16).

Results: Total sperm counts were clearly higher in Group A (52.3±14.3 million/ml vs. 30.4±23.5 million/ml, p=0.005) as was sperm motility (36.2±8.7 vs. 23.1±15.7%, p=0.009). A clear inverse relationship was found between age at orchiopexy and total sperm count (r=−0.394, p=0.034) and sperm motility (r=−0.382, p=0.041). The relationship between volume of testes, position at surgery, uni/bilaterality of cryptorchidism, evidence of Ad spermatogonia at biopsy performed during surgery and treatment with LHRH and hCG performed before surgery and fertility was not significant. The latter findings may be partially explained by the low number of patients participating in the study and need further investigation.

Conclusions: We obtained, for the first time, results showing the benefit of treating cryptorchidism during the first year of life rather than in the second year or even later.

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Correspondence

Prof. Ferdinando Canavese

Regina Margherita

Children's Hospital

Department of Pediatric Surgery

Piazza Polonia 94

10126 Torino

Italy

Phone: +39/0113/13 58 15

Fax: +39/0113/13 58 15

Email: ferdinandocanavese@hotmail.it