New insights into the expression of androgen and estrogen receptors of the appendix testis in congenital cryptorchidism

Association of antimullerian hormone with the size of the appendix testis, the androgen and estrogen receptors and their expression in the appendix testis, in congenital cryptorchidism

OBJECTIVES

Antimullerian hormone (AMH) causes regression of the mullerian ducts in the male fetus. The appendix testis (AT) is a vestigial remnant of mullerian duct origin, containing both androgen (AR) and estrogen (ER) receptors. The role of both AMH and AT in testicular descent is yet to be studied. We investigated the possible association of AMH with AT size, the AR and ER, and their expression in the AT, in congenital cryptorchidism.

METHODS

A total of 26 patients with congenital unilateral cryptorchidism and 26 controls with orthotopic testes were investigated, and 21 ATs were identified in each group. AMH and insulin-like three hormone (INSL3) concentrations were measured with spectrophotometry. AR and ER receptor expression was assessed with immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies R441 for AR and MAB463 for ER. For the estimation of receptor expression, the Allred Score method was used.

RESULTS

AMH concentrations did not present significant differences between patients with congenital cryptorchidism and the controls. Also, no correlation was found between AMH, INSL3, and AT length. Allred scores did not present significant differences. However, expression percentiles and intensity for both receptors presented significant differences. Three children with cryptorchidism and the highest AMH levels also had the highest estrogen receptor scores in the AT.

CONCLUSIONS

No association was found between AMH and the studied major parameters. However, higher AMH concentrations, in combination with higher estrogen receptor scores in the AT, may play a role in cryptorchidism in some children. Larger population samples are needed to verify this observation.