Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Expression in the Foreskin of Hypospadias Patients

Abstract Objectives: The etiology of hypospadias is often obscured and multifactorial. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) accelerates lung and intestinal maturation, promotes cell proliferation, regulates tissue differentiation, and modulates organogenesis and it plays an essential role in the normal regeneration and healing of epithelial surfaces. Inadequate EGFR expression has been reported in periuretral skin. The aim of our study is to compare the EGFR expression in the dorsal foreskin of children with hypospadias and in foreskin of children undergoing circumcision. Materials and Methods: The foreskins of 7 healthy children (obtained during circumcision) and 7 children with hypospadias were stained for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression. Results: The EGFR expression in the epidermis, smooth muscle, stroma, blood vessels, and fibroblasts of prepuces were not significantly different between the groups (p>0,05). But the number of the mast cells were increased in the hypospadias group (p<0,05). Discussion: EGFR expression did not differ between the dorsal foreskins of children with hypospadias and foreskins of children undergoing circumcision. But the numbers of mast cells were increased in the foreskins of children with hypospadias. Further cellular studies are required to uncover the mechanism underlying the increase in mast cell number. Key Words: Hypospadias; EGF; EGFR; Mast Cell.