Abnormalities of testicular descent

Testicular descent occurs in two stages. The transabdominal phase (8–15 weeks) is controlled by enlargement of the caudal genito-inguinal ligament (gubernaculum) and regression of the cranial ligament. Insulin-like 3 from the Leydig cell appears to be the prime stimulator of gubernacular growth, augmented by Mullerian inhibiting substance/anti-Mullerian hormone. Testosterone causes regression of the cranial ligament. The inguinoscrotal phase (25–35 weeks) requires the migration of the gubernaculum from the groin to the scrotum; this migration is guided by the genito-femoral nerve releasing calcitonin gene-related peptide under the influence of androgen. The neonatal gonocyte transforms into a type A spermatogonium at 3–12 months of age, a step that is now known to be crucial for subsequent fertility, as the stem cells for spermatogenesis are created in this structure. This step is blocked in undescended testis and, hence, orchidopexy is currently recommended at 6–12 months of age. Congenital cryptorchidism is caused by the failure of gubernacular migration to the scrotum (1%–2%) but we now recognise that another 1%–2% of boys have acquired cryptorchidism, secondary to the failure of spermatic cord elongation with growth of the boy. These latter cases come to operation at 5–10 years of age. Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment, as hormonal therapy has not been proven to be effective, presumably because testicular descent is a complex anatomical mechanism.