Hypertrophy Of Testes Research Articles

Testicular hypertrophy as predictor of contralateral nonpalpable testis among Chinese boys: An 18-year retrospective study

ObjectiveTo assess the accuracy of contralateral testis hypertrophy for predicting the fate of nonpalpable testis in Chinese boys at different ages. MethodsThe data of patients who presented with unilateral impalpable testis and who underwent laparoscopy at the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between January 1, 2000 and January 1, 2018 were reviewed. The boys were divided into four groups: age-matched volunteers with no testicular abnormalities represented the control group (group I), boys with palpable undescended testis (group II), boys with nonpalpable testis (NPT)/viable testis (VT) (group III), and boys with NPT/non-viable testis (NVT) group (group IV). Scrotal testes were prospectively measured by ultrasonography for volume and size, and diagnostic laparoscopy was performed to determine the state of the cryptorchid testis. ResultsThe mean contralateral testicular volume and length in the boys with an absent testis was 0.78mL and 17mm compared with 0.67mL and 15mm in the boys with a testis present and 0.63mL and 15mm in the controls, respectively (P<0.05). The predictive accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity for an absent testis were 64.9%, 75%, and 49%, respectively, for volume and 64.2%, 56.3%, and 76.4%, respectively for length at the optimal cutoff value of 0.65mL volume and 16.55mm length. Contralateral testis volume was the most accurate in predicting monorchism in 0–2-year-olds (sensitivity: 75%, specificity: 70%, accuracy: 73.1%) and the contralateral testicular length was most accurate for 4–6-years-old (sensitivity: 68.6%; specificity: 77.8%; accuracy: 72.2%). We also included 29 patients with bilateral undescended testis (UDT) and with unilateral nonpalpable. Cutoff values for testicular volume and length were 0.6mL (sensitivity: 81.8%, specificity: 88.9%, accuracy: 86.2%) and 13.5mm (sensitivity: 63.6%, specificity: 77.8%, accuracy: 77.8%). ConclusionThe present results exclusively obtained from laparoscopic exploration suggest that a testis volume of>0.65mL or a testis length of>16.55mm could predict monarchism with an accuracy of about 65%. In younger patients aged 0–2 years and 4–6 years, the overall predictive accuracy increases to about 73% but laparoscopic exploration is still required.

Initial laparoscopy and optimized approach for unilateral nonpalpable testis: review of 8-year single-center experience

We evaluated the role of initial laparoscopy and optimized approach in cases of unilateral nonpalpable testis. Seventy-four patients with nonpalpable testes were presented. We excluded 9 patients, with palpable testes under anesthesia. Laparoscopy was offered to 65 patients. Contralateral testis hypertrophy with length ≥ 1.8cm was confirmed in 47 patients. Ultrasound results were available for 35 patients. Age ranged from 1 to 10years. Of 65 nonpalpable testes, right side comprised 23 (35.4%) and the left 42 (64.6%). Laparoscopy revealed intra-abdominal testis in 18 patients (27.7%), blind-ending vessels and vas in 8 (12.3%), and vas and vessels traversing the internal ring in 39 (60%). Treatment of intra-abdominal testes included Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy in 7 patients, laparoscopic orchiopexy in 9, and laparoscopic orchiectomy in 2. In 8 patients with blind-ending vas and vessels, laparoscopy was terminated. In 39 patients with vas and vessels traversing the internal ring, scrotal exploration was performed in 36 patients with closed internal ring and inguinal exploration in 3 with open internal ring. Vanished testes were present in 43/47(91.5%) of patients with contralateral testis hypertrophy ≥ 1.8cm. Ultrasound detected the presence of a testis in only 4/11 (36.3%) of patients, although it could not identify vanished testis. Initial laparoscopy should be retained as one of the standard treatment for nonpalpable testis. It was the only required modality in 26 patients (40%) and optimized further treatment in 39 patients (60%) by evaluation of the condition of the internal ring.

Characterization of Sexual Trait Development in cyp17a1-Deficient Zebrafish.

Cytochrome P450 (Cyp)17A1 has both 17α-hydroxylase and 17,20-lyase activities, which are involved in the steroidogenic pathway that produces androgens and estrogens. Previously, a phenotype of all-male cyp17a1-deficient zebrafish generated by transcription activatorlike effector nuclease has been reported. In the current study, the mechanisms relating to Cyp17a1 that are involved in the development of sexual traits, especially gonadal differentiation and testicular development, were characterized. We found that the cyp17a1-deficient fish at 3 months postfertilization (mpf) were all fertile males with normal testis and spermatogenesis but compromised male-typical mating behaviors and secondary sex characters (SSCs), including breeding tubercles, body pigmentation, and anal fin coloration. These results demonstrate that spermatogenesis and testicular development are not as susceptible to androgen deficiency compared with the formation of male-typical SSCs and mating behaviors in zebrafish. The differentiation of the juvenile ovary into the mature ovary failed during the critical sexual differentiation stage. This all-male phenotype of the cyp17a1-deficient fish could be restored with testosterone or estradiol treatment. For testicular development in cyp17a1-deficient fish, a gradually increasing number of spermatozoa and testis hypertrophy from 3 to 6 mpf were observed, accompanied by constitutively upregulated pituitary gonadotropin FSH subunit β (fshβ). The hypertrophic testis and enhanced spermatogenesis in the cyp17a1-deficient fish at 6 mpf could be effectively rescued by fshβ depletion. These results confirm that adequate estrogen is essential for maintaining ovarian differentiation, and they provide new insight into the role of FSHβ in male testicular development and spermatogenesis.

Scrotal testis size in unilateral non-palpable cryptorchidism, what it can and cannot tell: Study of a Middle Eastern population

Predicting the fate of a unilateral non-palpable testis based on its scrotal counterpart has been recommended by some, yet disputed by others, and the question remains open. To investigate the accuracy of contralateral testis hypertrophy in predicting the absence of a unilateral non-palpable testis in a Middle Eastern population. This retrospective study included all patients referred to the present institution with unilateral non-palpable testis between June 2010 and August 2014, who had undergone laparoscopy. The scrotal testis was examined by sonography for size and volume, and diagnostic laparoscopy was utilized to determine the state of the cryptorchid testis. Of the 135 referred patients, 64 were aged ≤8 years, 29 were 9-18 years, and 42 were >18 years old. Diagnostic laparoscopy revealed 63 intra-abdominal testes, 20 small intra-inguinal testes, 32 vanished testes, and 20 nubbins or aplasia (Summary fig.). Scrotal testis volume was only a modest predictor for absence of the contralateral gonad in adult patients in whom a 22ml cut-off yielded 64.3% sensitivity and 92.9% specificity. For those aged <18 years, overall accuracy was poor and dropped below 60%. Relative enlargement of contralateral testis in decreasing order of size was observed in patients with primary monorchism, followed by those with secondarily atrophic or nubbin testis, and then those with normal sized inguinal or abdominal testis. Unlike some previous series, which based their conclusions upon open exploration and mostly studied pre-pubertal subjects, the present results exclusively from laparoscopic exploration suggested that contralateral testis volume is a poor and inconsistent predictor of monorchism in children, and marginally predictive for young adults with unilateral non-palpable testis. This study comprised a reasonably large overall sample size compared with preceding reports; however, the number of patients within in each age group was limited. Greater numbers could allow for statistical comparison stratified by age group, for which this study was not powered. Contralateral testis volume predicts, with modest accuracy, monorchism in adults with unilateral non-palpable testis. In younger patients, the overall predictive accuracy of scrotal testis size is poor and not consistently dependable.

Life history and ecology of harbour porpoises (&lt;i&gt;Phocoena phocoena&lt;/i&gt;) from West Greenland

During 1988, 1989 and 1995, 187 harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) were sampled from the catches off West Greenland. The samples were taken in 3 areas between 62° N and 70° N: northerly (n=134, Maniitsoq and locations Kangaamiut, Qeqertarsuaq and Qasigiannguit further north), southerly (n=30, Nuuk) and southernmost (n=23, Paamiut). A suite of biological measurements and data were collected from these samples. Comparison of age and length distributions between years and areas indicated that while there were no statistical differences between the Maniitsoq and northerly samples in different years, the southerly Nuuk and Paamiut samples were biased to younger age classes. Application of the Gompertz growth model to length and weight at age data indicated an asymptotic length of 154 cm in females and 143 cm in males with weights of 64 kg and 52 kg respectively. A number of correlations were observed between length, midgirth(G3), body and blubber weights and blubber thickness. Indicators of body condition showed that overall pregnant females were fattest but that blubber thickness was greatest in juveniles. The blubber lipid content was generally 92-95% wet weight of tissue. Stomach content analysis for 92 animals indicated regional differences, although capelin (Mallotus villosus) was predominant in all samples. The presence of fish, squid and crustaceans indicated opportunistic feeding. Females ovulated from age 3-4 years at a length of about 140 cm; combined testis weights &gt;200 g indicated maturation in males from age 2 years upwards at a length &gt;125 cm. Several small embryos were found, consistent with a mating season in late summer. Testis hypertrophy in August also supported a late summer breeding. Analysis of ovarian corpora indicated annual ovulation. Certain biological parameters, including body condition indicators, indicate differences between WestGreenland and eastern North Atlantic populations that agree with published genetic findings.

Age, length and reproductive parameters of harbour porpoises Phocoena phocoena (L.) from West Greenland

) weresampled from the catches off West Greenland during the months of July, August andSeptember. The samples were taken between 62 Nand69 30 N in Maniitsoq and threemore northerly locations (134), Paamiut (23), and Nuuk (30). Comparison of age andlength distributions between years and areas, indicated that there were no significantdifferences between years. However, the Maniitsoq and northerly samples had a modalage in both sexes of about 2 yr and a maximum age of 17 yr, while the more southerlyNuuk and Paamiut samples were biased to younger age classes, with the modal age inboth sexes being the first year of life (age class 0 yr) and a maximum age of 12 yr.Females ovulated from age 3.6 yr at a length of about 142 cm; combined testesweights >200 g indicated maturation in males from age 2.5 yr upwards at a length>125 cm. Several small embryos were found, consistent with a mating season in latesummer. Testis hypertrophy in August was also consistent with a late summerbreeding. Application of growth models indicated an average asymptotic length of154 cm in females and 143 cm in males.Comparisons of the West Greenland data with similar data for porpoises from theCanadian Atlantic, eastern North Atlantic and the North Sea, where genetic studieshave shown population differences, indicated differences in biological parameters.Key words: harbour porpoise, age, growth, reproduction, west Greenland.Received 11 May 1999; accepted 17 August 2000.

HOW WELL DOES CONTRALATERAL TESTIS HYPERTROPHY PREDICT THE ABSENCE OF THE NONPALPABLE TESTIS?

We assessed the accuracy of contralateral testis hypertrophy for predicting monorchia in patients with a nonpalpable testis. From May 1993 to September 1998 we evaluated 60 patients 7 months to 11 years old for a unilateral nonpalpable testis. Four patients were excluded from study who had received human chorionic gonadotropin or had signs of puberty. We correlated contralateral testis hypertrophy, defined as testis volume greater than 2 cc or testis length greater than 2 cm., with presence or absence of the nonpalpable testis. We also recorded the degree to which contralateral testis length less than 2.1 cm. correlated with the presence or absence of the nonpalpable testis. Laparoscopy and open exploration were performed in 52 and 4 cases, respectively. Contralateral testis hypertrophy greater than 2 cm. was noted in 16 patients, including 14 (87.5%) with monorchia and 2 (12.5%) with an intra-abdominal testis. Of the 15 patients with a contralateral measurement of 1.8 to 2.0 cm. 14 had monorchia (93%) and 1 had a tiny ovotestis. Of the 25 patients with a contralateral measurement of less than 1.8 cm. 13 (52%) had testes that were intra-abdominal in 11 and canalicular in 2. The optimal cutoff value for contralateral enlargement was 1.8 cm. (p = 0.00061). The most common laparoscopic finding in patients with contralateral testis hypertrophy greater than 2 cm. was blind ending vessels proximal to the internal ring in 56%. Contralateral testis hypertrophy is common in patients with a nonpalpable testis. Hypertrophy 1.8 cm. or greater predicts monorchia with an accuracy of about 90%. The finding of contralateral testis hypertrophy provides useful information for preoperative counseling, allowing us to inform parents that the nonpalpable testis is most likely absent. Exploration is still required. Laparoscopy is particularly advantageous in contralateral testis hypertrophy since it was the only procedure required in about half of our cases.

Effects of sheep ICSH (LH) on the reproductive organ system in hypophysectomized immature Male rats

Effects of sheep ICSH (LH) on the reproductive system of hypophysectomized immature male rats were studied. The assay method used was in accord to that recommended by Greep et al. (14). The animals were hypophysectomized at 23 days of age and the hormone solution was injected once daily, begining at 2 nd day postoperative, for a period of 4 days. They were autopsied 24 hours after the last injection. Sheep ICSH (LH) used was stated to containe traces of FSH and TSH and to be approximately 85% pure by electropholetic analysis. One mg of this material did not stimulate the follicular development in hypo-physectomized immature female rats (18).A 100% increase in the average weight of the ventral prostate gland above that of the hypophysectomi-zed control was obtained by a dose of 40γ of the hormone. A large dose of ICSH (2mg) effected about a 200% increase in the weight of the gland. For convenience in comparing of gonadotrophic activity between gonadotrophic substances, we devised the prostate unit. we define one prostate unit (Pr. U.) as the amount of the gonadotrophin which will give a 100% increase in the average weight of the ventral prostate gland in hypophysectomized immature rats above that of the hypophysectomized controls. No effect on the wei-ght of the seminal vesicles (including the coagulatory glands) was observed by large doses of ICSH. About 50% or more increase in the average weight of the epididymides above that of the control was obtained at dose levels 25 to 50 Pr. U., With increase of the dose of hormone, the marked hypertrophy of testes was resulted. Two milligram of ICSH (50 Pr. U.) caused a 200% increase in testicular weight, and produced the primary spermatocytes in the tubules and the slight stimulation of the interstitial cells.