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Cord blood Insulin‐like peptide 3 ( INSL 3) but not testosterone is reduced in idiopathic cryptorchidism
Author(s) -
Fénichel Patrick,
Lahlou Najiba,
Coquillard Patrick,
PanaïaFerrari Patricia,
WagnerMahler Kathy,
BruckerDavis Françoise
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
clinical endocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1365-2265
pISSN - 0300-0664
DOI - 10.1111/cen.12500
Subject(s) - medicine , endocrinology , testosterone (patch) , hormone , gubernaculum , population , context (archaeology) , anti müllerian hormone , biology , paleontology , environmental health
Summary Background Cryptorchidism, the most frequent congenital malformation in full‐term male newborns, increases the risk of hypofertility and testicular cancer. Most cases remain idiopathic but epidemiological and experimental studies have suggested a role of both genetic and environmental factors. Physiological testicular descent is regulated by two major Leydig hormones: insulin‐like peptide 3 ( INSL 3) and testosterone. Objectives To study the endocrine context at birth as a reflection of late pregnancy in isolated idiopathic cryptorchidism and to analyse the possible disruptions of INSL 3 and/or testosterone. Methods From a prospective case–control study at Nice University Hospital, we assessed 180 boys born after 34 weeks gestation: 52 cryptorchid (48 unilateral, 4 bilateral; 26 transient, 26 persistent), and 128 controls matched for term, weight and time of birth. INSL 3 and testosterone were measured in cord blood and compared in both groups as were other components of the pituitary‐gonadic axis: LH , HCG , FSH , AMH and SHBG . Results INSL 3 was decreased in cryptorchid boys ( P = 0·031), especially transient cryptorchid ( P = 0·029), while testosterone was unchanged as were the other hormones measured. INSL 3 was significantly decreased ( P = 0·018) in the group of 20 with nonpalpable testes compared with the group of 21 with palpable testes (15 suprascrotal, five inguinal, one high scrotal) according to Scorer classification. In the whole population, INSL 3 correlated positively with LH and negatively with AMH , but with no other measured hormones. Conclusions INSL 3 but not testosterone is decreased at birth in idiopathic cryptorchidism, especially in transient forms. This hormonal decrease may contribute to the impaired testicular descent along with genetic and anatomical factors. Whether foetal environment (nutritional and/or toxicological) interferes with INSL 3 secretion in humans remains to be confirmed.