INSL3 and LGR8 expressions in perididymis and gubernaculum of patients with unilateral cryptorchidism

Abstract

Objective To investigate the expression levels and the clinical significance of INSL3 and LGR8 in patients with unilateral cryptorchidism.Methods The expression levels of INSL3 and LGR8 were evaluated using RTRCR in gubernaculum and perididymis in 42 unilateral cryptorchidism (high position 4 cases; middle 31 cases; low 7 cases).Controls were taken from 40perididymis in 40 hydrocele patients and 40 hernia sacs in female indirect inguinal hernia patients.Results The expression levels of INSL3 and LGR8 in perididymis tissues and gubernaculums of different type of unilateral cryptorchidism showed no significant difference (P＞0.05).The expression levels of INSL3 and LGR8 in gubernaculums were lower than those in perididymis tissues (P＜0.05) ; and the expressions of INSL3 and LGR8 in perididymis tissues in unilateral cryptorchidism were lower than those in hydrocele testis (P＜0.05).The expressions of INSL3 and LGR8 in hemia sac of female indirect inguinal hernia were lower than those in perididymis of hydrocele testis (P＜0.05).Conclusions The expression levels of INSL3 and LGR8 in perididymis tissues and gubernaculums of different type of unilateral cryptorchidism have no significant difference.It would imply that INSL3 and LGR8 might have a role in different stages of testicular descent.Lower levels of INSL3 and LGR8 may be associated with altered gubernacular development and cryptorchidism. Key words: Insulin like factor-3; Receptors,G-protein-coupled; Cryptorchidism