Treatment of cryptorchidism with chorionic gonadotropic hormone and male sex hormone

Abstract

Seventeen boys with cryptorchidism, two of the cases bilateral, received a course of combined treatment with injections of chorionic gonadotropic hormone (pregnyl) and testosterone propionate (neo-hombreol). Each injection consisted of 500 R. U. of gonadotropic hormone with 5 or 10 mg. testosterone propionate. Nine (53 per cent) of the boys responded with complete descent of the testes. These included four of nine boys who had been treated with either hormone alone or successively without any effect, and five of eight boys who had not been treated previously. From these results it would appear that combined treatment is most effective. In consideration of the expense, and in order to avoid any unnecessary premature sexual stimulation, we feel that the procedure in handling such cases should be as follows: First, a course of treatment with chorionic gonadotropic hormone, from 300 to 500 R. U. three times a week up to a total of 10,000 units should be given. If no response results, a combined course of treatment should then be given after a rest period of from one to three months. If no satisfactory result is obtained, the cryptorchidism should be treated surgically. Treatment should be instituted before the boys are 10 years of age, preferably between 8 and 10 years. Seventeen boys with cryptorchidism, two of the cases bilateral, received a course of combined treatment with injections of chorionic gonadotropic hormone (pregnyl) and testosterone propionate (neo-hombreol). Each injection consisted of 500 R. U. of gonadotropic hormone with 5 or 10 mg. testosterone propionate. Nine (53 per cent) of the boys responded with complete descent of the testes. These included four of nine boys who had been treated with either hormone alone or successively without any effect, and five of eight boys who had not been treated previously. From these results it would appear that combined treatment is most effective. In consideration of the expense, and in order to avoid any unnecessary premature sexual stimulation, we feel that the procedure in handling such cases should be as follows: First, a course of treatment with chorionic gonadotropic hormone, from 300 to 500 R. U. three times a week up to a total of 10,000 units should be given. If no response results, a combined course of treatment should then be given after a rest period of from one to three months. If no satisfactory result is obtained, the cryptorchidism should be treated surgically. Treatment should be instituted before the boys are 10 years of age, preferably between 8 and 10 years.