Analysis of testis development and epididymal morphology in preterm and term newborns

Abstract

Objective To explore the testis development and epididymis in the preterm and term newborns so as to provide the scientific evidence for early clinical diagnosing early. Methods From October 2016 to March 2018, 456 hospitalized neonates at Department of Neonatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were recruited within 7 days at birth in this study.In these patients, 224 cases were preterm newborns and 232 cases were term newborns.These gestational ages of newborns at birth were (36.18±3.13) weeks (27-41+ 6 weeks) and weighted (2.66±0.67) kg(0.90-3.82 kg). The size of the testis and epididymis were measured by ultrasonography. Results The mean testicular volume of the preterm was (0.24±0.07) mL.The mean length of epididymal head, thickness of epididymal head and body and tail of the preterm newborns were (4.17±0.59) mm, (2.58±0.39) mm, (1.78±0.26) mm, (1.91±0.24) mm, respectively.The mean testicular volume of the term newborns was (0.38±0.13) mL, the mean length of epididymal head, thickness of epididymal head and body and tail of the term newborns were (4.49±0.45) mm, (2.78±0.34) mm, (1.95±0.20) mm, (1.99±0.16) mm, respectively.The mean testi-cular volume, length of epididymal head, thickness of epididymal head and body and tail of the preterm newborns were significantly lower compared with the term newborns (t=12.810, 8.261, 6.819, 8.058, 3.591, all P 0.05). Conclusions The testicular volume, the length of epididymal head, thickness of epididymal head and body increase with gestational age, birth weight and birth length in early neonates.The growth of reproductive system in the preterm newborns at PMA 37 weeks catch-up with term newborns.If this catch-up growth was incomplete at PMA 37 weeks, special attention should be given to monitor underlying diseases. Key words: Infant, newborn; Infant, premature; Infant, preterm; Testicular volume; Epididymis