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Mamsen LS, Hildorf S, Ntemou E, Wang D, Cortes D, Fedder J, Thorup J, Andersen CY. Testis tissue cryopreservation may be considered in boys with cryptorchidism. Asian J Androl 2024:00129336-990000000-00212. [PMID: 39075793 DOI: 10.4103/aja202437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT This study assessed the feasibility of testis tissue cryopreservation (TTC) for fertility preservation in prepubescent boys with cryptorchidism. From January 2014 to December 2022, the University Hospital of Copenhagen (Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark) implemented TTC for 56 boys with cryptorchidism to preserve their reproductive potential. Testis tissue samples were collected during orchiopexy (32 cases) or at subsequent follow-up procedures (24 cases), necessitated by an increased risk of infertility as indicated by hormonal assessments and/or findings from initial surgical biopsies. Testis samples were procured for TTC and pathological analysis. The cohort had an average age of 1.3 (range: 0.3-3.8) years at the time of orchiopexy, with 91.1% presenting bilateral cryptorchidism. The study revealed a median germ cell count of 0.39 (range: 0-2.88) per seminiferous tubule, with germ cells detected in 98.0% of the bilateral biopsies and 100% of the unilateral, indicating a substantial potential for fertility in these immature tissues. A dark spermatogonia (Ad) was detected in 37 out of 56 patients evaluated, with a median Ad spermatogonia count of 0.027 (range: 0.002-0.158) per seminiferous tubule. A total of 30.2% of the samples lacked Ad spermatogonia, indicative of potential gonadotrophin insufficiency. The median hormone levels measured were as follows: follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) at 0.69 (range: 0.16-2.5) U l-1, luteinizing hormone (LH) at 0.21 (range: 0.05-3.86) U l-1, and inhibin B at 126 (range: 17-300) pg ml-1. Despite early orchiopexy, 20%-25% of boys with cryptorchidism remain at risk for future infertility, substantiating the necessity of TTC as a precaution. The study highlights the need for refined predictive techniques to identify boys at higher risk of future infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linn Salto Mamsen
- Department of Gynaecology, Fertility, and Obstetrics, Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
| | - Simone Hildorf
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
| | - Elissavet Ntemou
- Department of Gynaecology, Fertility, and Obstetrics, Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
| | - Danyang Wang
- Department of Gynaecology, Fertility, and Obstetrics, Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
| | - Dina Cortes
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark
| | - Jens Fedder
- Centre of Andrology and Fertility Clinic, Department D, Odense University Hospital, Odense 5000, Denmark
- Research Unit of Human Reproduction, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense 5000, Denmark
| | - Jørgen Thorup
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
| | - Claus Yding Andersen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
- Fertility Clinic, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Herlev 2730, Denmark
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Chai S, Tian R, Xu S, Ren W, Yang G. Evolution of Fertilization-Related Genes Provides Insights Into Reproductive Health in Natural Ascrotal Mammals. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.828325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptorchidism is the failure of one or both testes to descend into the bottom of the scrotum. This common congenital malformation in humans and domestic animals is the best characterized risk factor for abnormal sperm functions and infertility. However, current treatment approaches for cryptorchidism do not ensure paternity in all cases. Some lineages of mammals (such as elephants and cetaceans) have natural ascrotal testes (i.e., undescended or incompletely descended testes) and normal sperm motility and fertility, providing an opportunity to understand the genetic basis of cryptorchidism. In this study, we showed that genes associated with sperm motility and competition/fertility in ascrotal mammals experienced frequent, strong selective pressure. The fixation of specific amino acids and positive selection in ascrotal mammals could affect the physicochemical properties and functions of fertilization-related proteins. In a comparison between mammals with undescended testes and incompletely descended testes, discrepancies in genes showing evidence for adaptive evolution and in functional enrichment suggested that multiple molecular mechanisms contribute to the maintenance of fertility in the challenging testicular environment. Our findings revealed substantial heterogeneity in the divergence of fertilization-related genes between natural scrotal and ascrotal mammals and provide insight into molecular mechanisms underlying normal sperm motility and competition in natural ascrotal mammals. We provide a detailed theoretical basis for understanding the pathology of cryptorchidism from a molecular evolutionary perspective. This study may contribute to the establishment of diagnostic and therapeutic targets for sperm motility and fertility disorders due to congenital cryptorchidism in humans and domestic animals.
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Ong C, Hasthorpe S, Hutson JM. Germ cell development in the descended and cryptorchid testis and the effects of hormonal manipulation. Pediatr Surg Int 2005; 21:240-54. [PMID: 15726388 DOI: 10.1007/s00383-005-1382-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/18/2005] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Germ cell development is an active process in normal testes during the first 4 years after birth, with transformation of the neonatal gonocytes into adult dark spermatogonia and then primary spermatocytes. The hormonal regulation of these changes is not fully understood, with evidence both for and against a role for gonadotrophins and androgens. Early surgical intervention in infancy aims to prevent or reverse germ cell maldevelopment. Although hormonal treatment for maldescent has been shown to be ineffective, there is still controversy over whether it may be useful as an adjunct to surgery to stimulate germ cells. Current evidence suggests that hormonal therapy may not stimulate transformation of neonatal gonocytes but may trigger prepubertal mitosis of primary spermatocytes. Further studies are required to determine the role of hormone treatment on germ cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Ong
- F. Douglas Stephens Surgical Research Laboratory, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
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Gracia J, Sánchez J, García C, Pueyo C, Ferrández A. What is the relationship between spermatozoa per milliliter at adulthood and the tubular fertility index at surgical age for patients with cryptorchidism? J Pediatr Surg 1998; 33:594-6. [PMID: 9574758 DOI: 10.1016/s0022-3468(98)90323-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to find out the relationship in the patient with cryptorchidism between the number of spermatogonia at surgical age and spermiogram data at adulthood. METHODS Between 1971 and 1996 the authors surgically treated 1,550 children for 2,249 undescended testis. In 21 unilateral and 41 bilateral cryptorchidism patients, both testis were biopsied at surgical procedure during childhood. We currently have spermiogram data for a patient at adulthood. RESULTS By using the best Tubular Fertility Index (TFI) figures of both testis, the Sperman correlation index between the two parameters is r = 0.22, statistically nonsignificant. The TFI test sensitivity is 0.68 and the specificity is 0.60. The likehood ratio for a positive test result is 0.84 and the likehood ratio for a negative test result is 0.37. CONCLUSION Although the authors have only one spermiogram, and there are few cases, they suspect the TFI is not a good index to predict the potential fertility in cryptorchidism patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Gracia
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Miguel Servet Children's Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain
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