A case - control study of cryptorchidism and maternal hormone concentrations in early pregnancy

Abstract

Summary Serum samples taken between 6 and 20 weeks of gestation were obtained from 28 mothers who gave birth to cryptorchid sons (cases) and from 108 control mothers. In comparison with controls the cases had 10% higher geometric mean oestradiol (95% CI -13% to + 39%: P= 0.42) and 10% lower geometric mean testosterone (95% CI -27% to + 10%: P=0.30). Among the samples collected between 6 and 14 weeks of gestation geometric mean concentrations of oestradiol and testosterone were 5% lower (95% CI -32% to + 31%: P=0.74) and 25% lower (95% CI -45% to + 1%: P=0.06) respectively in cases than in controls. Among the samples collected between 15 and 20 weeks of gestation geometric mean concentrations of oestradiol and testosterone were 29% higher (95% CI -8% to +79%: P=0.14) and 21% higher (95% CI -8% to + 60%: P= 0.18) respectively in cases than in controls. The results do not support the hypothesis that cryptorchidism may be caused by high concentrations of oestradiol in the maternal blood during the first phase of testicular descent, but suggest that the possible association of cryptorchidism with low maternal testosterone during early gestation should be further investigated.

Maternal Hormone Levels and Risk of Cryptorchism among Populations at High and Low Risk of Testicular Germ Cell Tumors

“…The ''androgen hypothesis'' has also been suggested by several studies (8,10,(21)(22)(23). Most studies did not directly examine cryptorchism, but rather compared maternal hormone levels in populations at highand low-risk of testicular cancer.…”

“…The Burton et al study (6) identified cryptorchid boys via referral to surgeons, but did not indicate the age or certainty of diagnosis. The Key et al (8) study identified boys who were diagnosed as cryptorchid in the delivery room and had a confirmatory diagnosis at 3 months, thus including mainly truly cryptorchid boys. In the current study, the case boys were required to have a diagnosis of cryptorchism at any time during the first year of life.…”

“…The ''estrogen hypothesis'' has been directly examined in several prior studies of cryptorchism (6)(7)(8). Only one of the studies, however, has provided support for the hypothesis (7).…”

Inguinal hernia in patients with Ewing sarcoma: A clue to etiology

“…Inguinal hernia and cryptorchidism have been linked either to elevated maternal estrogen levels during pregnancy [21,22] or conversely to low testosterone levels [23] during pregnancy, but no common exposures have been identified for patients with ES. Also, in utero viral infections might cause damage to fetal tissue and result in anomalies, with subsequent development of malignancy in later years.…”

Critical Windows of Exposure for Children's Health: The Reproductive System in Animals and Humans

“…An increase in the incidence of cryptorchidism has been reported for boys with higher levels of pesticide exposure as determined by place of residence (102). Lower circulating levels of testosterone have been demonstrated during gestation weeks [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] in boys with cryptorchidism (103 (104). However, estradiol receptors are also found in the testis, efferent ducts, epididymis, and prostate; mice bearing a null mutation in the estrogen a-receptor are infertile due, at least in part, to the inability of the efferent ducts to resorb fluid (105).…”