Is a decreased LH response to LHRH in prepubertal boys with cryptorchidism predictive of permanent gonadotropin deficiency|[quest]|

摘要

Among more than 300 prepubertal boys with uni- or bilateral cryptorchidism, 15 with low LH response to LHRH (peak LH ug/l LER 907: 30.1 ± 7.8 SD) could be followed up to the age of 12 - 16.5 years and had at least 2 further LHRH tests (25 ug/m2 i.v.). At that age, all had signs of spontaneous puberty (testes ?3 ml and/or pubes Tanner stage ?2); peak LH values were 102.3 ± 40.7 SD (difference first/last LH peak p <0.001 in 14 boys). In 10 of them the rise of LH response appeared at pubes 2 - 3, in 4 at pubes 4 - 5. In one boy with testes of 20 ml and pubes 5 at the age of 14.4 years, LH peak values remained <40, comparable to patients with persistent gonadotropin deficiency. Before puberty, peak FSH values were low in half of these patients; during puberty, 13 boys had normal and 2 increased FSH values.Our results show that LH deficiency - suggested to be a causative factor of cryptorchidism - is present in this group of patients. However, it seems to be of transient nature as demonstrated by the rise of LH response and the occurance of spontaneous puberty.Supported by the Swiss National Foundation Grant No. 3.984.080