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Rodprasert W, Virtanen HE, Toppari J. Cryptorchidism and puberty. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1347435. [PMID: 38532895 PMCID: PMC10963523 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1347435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Cryptorchidism is the condition in which one or both testes have not descended adequately into the scrotum. The congenital form of cryptorchidism is one of the most prevalent urogenital anomalies in male newborns. In the acquired form of cryptorchidism, the testis that was previously descended normally is no longer located in the scrotum. Cryptorchidism is associated with an increased risk of infertility and testicular germ cell tumors. However, data on pubertal progression are less well-established because of the limited number of studies. Here, we aim to review the currently available data on pubertal development in boys with a history of non-syndromic cryptorchidism-both congenital and acquired cryptorchidism. The review is focused on the timing of puberty, physical changes, testicular growth, and endocrine development during puberty. The available evidence demonstrated that the timing of the onset of puberty in boys with a history of congenital cryptorchidism does not differ from that of non-cryptorchid boys. Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal hormone measurements showed an impaired function or fewer Sertoli cells and/or germ cells among boys with a history of cryptorchidism, particularly with a history of bilateral cryptorchidism treated with orchiopexy. Leydig cell function is generally not affected in boys with a history of cryptorchidism. Data on pubertal development among boys with acquired cryptorchidism are lacking; therefore, more research is needed to investigate pubertal progression among such boys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiwat Rodprasert
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology and Centre for Population Health Research, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Helena E. Virtanen
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology and Centre for Population Health Research, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Jorma Toppari
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology and Centre for Population Health Research, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Pediatrics, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Cargnelutti F, Di Nisio A, Pallotti F, Spaziani M, Tarsitano MG, Paoli D, Foresta C. Risk factors on testicular function in adolescents. J Endocrinol Invest 2022; 45:1625-1639. [PMID: 35286610 PMCID: PMC9360118 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-022-01769-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Adolescence represents an important window for gonadal development. The aim of this review is to carry out a critical excursus of the most recent literature on endogenous and exogenous risk factors related to testicular function, focusing the research on adolescence period. METHODS A comprehensive literature search within PubMed was performed to provide a summary of currently available evidence regarding the impact on adolescence of varicocele, cryptorchidism, cancer, diabetes, lifestyle factors, endocrine disruptors, obesity and sexually transmitted diseases. We focused on human studies that evaluated a possible impact of these factors on puberty timing and their effects on andrological health. RESULTS Evidence collected seems to suggest that andrological health in adolescence may be impaired by several factors, as varicocele, cryptorchidism, and childhood cancer. Despite an early diagnosis and treatment, many adolescents might still have symptoms and sign of a testicular dysfunction in their adult life and at the current time it is not possible to predict which of them will experience andrological problems. Lifestyle factors might have a role in these discrepancies. Most studies point out towards a correlation between obesity, insulin resistance, alcohol, smoking, use of illegal drugs and testicular function in pubertal boys. Also, endocrine disruptors and sexually transmitted diseases might contribute to impair reproductive health, but more studies in adolescents are needed. CONCLUSION According to currently available evidence, there is an emerging global adverse trend of high-risk and unhealthy behaviors in male adolescents. A significant proportion of young men with unsuspected and undiagnosed andrological disorders engage in behaviors that could impair testicular development and function, with an increased risk for later male infertility and/or hypogonadism during the adult life. Therefore, adolescence should be considered a key time for intervention and prevention of later andrological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Cargnelutti
- Laboratory of Seminology-Sperm Bank "Loredana Gandini", Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - A Di Nisio
- Department of Medicine, Operative Unit of Andrology and Medicine of Human Reproduction, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - F Pallotti
- Laboratory of Seminology-Sperm Bank "Loredana Gandini", Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - M Spaziani
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - M G Tarsitano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - D Paoli
- Laboratory of Seminology-Sperm Bank "Loredana Gandini", Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - C Foresta
- Department of Medicine, Operative Unit of Andrology and Medicine of Human Reproduction, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35128, Padua, Italy
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Phillips L, Lundholm C, Kvist U, Almqvist C, Nordenskjöld A, Nordenvall AS. Increased androgen-related comorbidity in adolescents and adults born with hypospadias: a population-based study. Andrology 2022; 10:1376-1386. [PMID: 35848332 PMCID: PMC9543378 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Background Hypospadias is a common congenital malformation often related to the effect of androgens in utero. While hypogonadism is associated with many potential health risks including metabolic and cardiovascular disease, the risk of clinical hypogonadism and comorbidities in men with hypospadias later in life has not been studied. Objectives Investigate the risk of hypogonadism and somatic comorbidities in adolescents and men born with hypospadias. Materials and methods We conducted a population‐based cohort study using Swedish registers. Associations between hypospadias and hypogonadism, delayed puberty, metabolic, and cardiovascular disease respectively were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression. Body measurements from military conscription were analysed in a subpopulation as indicators of growth and cardiometabolic risk. We used sibling comparison analyses to control for familial confounding. Results Using register data, a total of 2,165,255 men including 9,714 men born with hypospadias were followed from the age of 10 to a maximum of 60 years. We found an association between hypospadias and hypogonadism (Hazard ratio (HR) 3.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.33–4.59) which was more pronounced in proximal hypospadias. Men with hypospadias had shorter average height than their brothers and the general population. We further found an increased risk of delayed puberty (HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.08–2.07), diabetes mellitus type 2 (HR 1.57, 95% CI 1.18–2.09) and cardiovascular disease (HR 1.47, 95% CI 1.27–1.71). Discussion We found an increased risk of hypogonadism, metabolic and cardiovascular disease in men born with hypospadias, increasing with severity of phenotype, as well as impacted growth. These results indicate discruptions in androgen function past childhood, although some of the associations may be due to other underlying aetiologies. Conclusion Hypospadias is associated with an increased risk of androgen‐related comorbidity in adolescence and adulthood. We suggest that this can be considered clinically, while further research is needed, especially in older populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lottie Phillips
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, and Center of Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Lundholm
- Deparment of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ulrik Kvist
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Catarina Almqvist
- Deparment of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Pediatric Allergy and Pulmonology Unit, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Agneta Nordenskjöld
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, and Center of Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Pediatric Surgery, Astrid Lindgren Children´s Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Skarin Nordenvall
- Deparment of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Radiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Shankar RR, Shah S, Joeng HK, Mendizabal G, DiBello JR, Guan Y, Stegmann BJ, Nieschlag E, Behre HM, Swerdloff RS, Fox MC, Kaufman KD. Corifollitropin Alfa Combined With Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Adolescent Boys With Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 107:2036-2046. [PMID: 35275602 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgac145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Adolescent males with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) have traditionally been treated with exogenous testosterone (T) or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to produce virilization; however, those modalities do not result in growth of the testes and may promote premature maturation and terminal differentiation of Sertoli cells prior to their proliferation, which may impact future fertility. Another option is to use gonadotropins in those individuals to induce testicular growth, proliferation and maturation of Sertoli cells, and production of endogenous T with consequent virilization. OBJECTIVE We examined the efficacy and safety of corifollitropin alfa (CFA) combined with hCG for the induction of testicular growth and pubertal development in adolescent boys with HH. METHODS This was a 64-week, multicenter, open-label, single-group study of CFA in adolescent boys, aged 14 to younger than 18 years, with HH. Seventeen participants initiated a 12-week priming period with CFA (100 μg if weight ≤ 60 kg, or 150 μg if weight > 60 kg) given subcutaneously once every 2 weeks, after which they entered a 52-week combined treatment period with CFA, once every 2 weeks, and subcutaneous hCG, twice-weekly (hCG dose adjusted between 500 IU and 5000 IU to keep total T and estradiol levels within protocol-specified ranges). The primary efficacy end point was change from baseline in testicular volume (TV), measured as the sum of volumes of left and right testes by ultrasound. RESULTS After 64 weeks of therapy with CFA/CFA combined with hCG, geometric mean fold increase from baseline in TV was 9.43 (95% CI, 7.44-11.97) (arithmetic mean of change from baseline at week 64, 13.0 mL). Hormonal, Tanner stage, and growth velocity changes were consistent with initiation and progression of puberty. Treatment was generally well tolerated. No participant developed anti-CFA antibodies. CONCLUSION Treatment of adolescent boys with HH with CFA alone for 12 weeks followed by CFA combined with hCG for 52 weeks induced testicular growth accompanied by pubertal progression, increased T, and a pubertal growth spurt (EudraCT: 2015-001878-18).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Eberhard Nieschlag
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Hermann M Behre
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Halle, Halle, Germany
| | - Ronald S Swerdloff
- Lundquist Research Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Torrance, California, USA
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Ea V, Bergougnoux A, Philibert P, Servant-Fauconnet N, Faure A, Breaud J, Gaspari L, Sultan C, Paris F, Kalfa N. How Far Should We Explore Hypospadias? Next-generation Sequencing Applied to a Large Cohort of Hypospadiac Patients. Eur Urol 2021; 79:507-515. [PMID: 33468338 DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2020.12.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is generally used for patients with severe disorders of sex development (DSD). However, NGS has not been applied extensively for patients with hypospadias only, and most affected children do not benefit from an etiological diagnosis. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical usefulness of NGS for patients with hypospadias, regardless of severity. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Prospective multicenter research included 293 children with glandular to penoscrotal hypospadias (no undescended testis and no micropenis). After excluding likely pathogenic androgen receptor (AR) variants by Sanger sequencing, an NGS panel tested 336 genes including unexplored candidates in 284 patients. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS The rate of pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants was assessed using REVEL, ClinVar, and in-house tools (Captain-ACHAB, MobiCNV, and MobiDetails). RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS Likely pathogenic variants were identified in 16 (5.5%) patients with both Sanger sequencing and NGS taken into account. Some genes were related to DSD (AR, NR5A1, HSD17B3, and MAMLD1), but reverse phenotyping revealed two syndromic disorders with midline defects (MID1) and alteration in the retinoic acid signaling pathway (RARA). Coverage analysis revealed an 18q deletion. Identification of likely pathogenic variants increased with hypospadias severity. Other variants of unknown significance (VUSs) in genes implicated in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, Noonan syndrome, and genital tubercle development were also identified. Genetic study mainly focused on exonic variants, and most cases remain unexplained. CONCLUSIONS NGS reveals minor forms of DSD, undiagnosed syndromes, or candidate rare variants in new genes, indicating that even patients with mild hypospadias benefit from advanced sequencing techniques. Early molecular diagnosis would help improve follow-up at puberty and medical counseling for initially undiagnosed syndromes. Future studies will improve the diagnosis by investigating the contribution of VUSs. PATIENT SUMMARY Next-generation sequencing enables simultaneous testing of numerous genes and should not be limited to disorders of sex development cases. Even patients with mild hypospadias would benefit from early diagnosis of a genetic defect implicated in sex development or other syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vuthy Ea
- Centre de Référence Maladies Rares DEVGEN Constitutif Sud, CHU de Montpellier, France; Laboratoire de Génétique de Maladies Rares, EA7402, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire, IURC, CHU de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Anne Bergougnoux
- Centre de Référence Maladies Rares DEVGEN Constitutif Sud, CHU de Montpellier, France; Laboratoire de Génétique de Maladies Rares, EA7402, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire, IURC, CHU de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Pascal Philibert
- Centre de Référence Maladies Rares DEVGEN Constitutif Sud, CHU de Montpellier, France
| | - Nadège Servant-Fauconnet
- Centre de Référence Maladies Rares DEVGEN Constitutif Sud, CHU de Montpellier, France; Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire, IURC, CHU de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Alice Faure
- Service de Chirurgie et Urologie Pédiatrique, Hôpital la Timone, AP-HM, Marseille, France
| | - Jean Breaud
- Service de Chirurgie et Urologie Pédiatrique, Hôpital Lenval, CHU de Nice, France
| | - Laura Gaspari
- Centre de Référence Maladies Rares DEVGEN Constitutif Sud, CHU de Montpellier, France; Unité d'Endocrinologie Pédiatrique, Service de Pédiatrie, Hopital Arnaud de Villeneuve, Montpellier, France
| | - Charles Sultan
- Centre de Référence Maladies Rares DEVGEN Constitutif Sud, CHU de Montpellier, France
| | - Françoise Paris
- Centre de Référence Maladies Rares DEVGEN Constitutif Sud, CHU de Montpellier, France; Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire, IURC, CHU de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Unité d'Endocrinologie Pédiatrique, Service de Pédiatrie, Hopital Arnaud de Villeneuve, Montpellier, France
| | - Nicolas Kalfa
- Centre de Référence Maladies Rares DEVGEN Constitutif Sud, CHU de Montpellier, France; Laboratoire de Génétique de Maladies Rares, EA7402, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Chirurgie et Urologie Pédiatrique, Hôpital Lapeyronie, CHU de Montpellier, et Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
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Rodprasert W, Virtanen HE, Mäkelä JA, Toppari J. Hypogonadism and Cryptorchidism. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:906. [PMID: 32010061 PMCID: PMC6974459 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Congenital cryptorchidism (undescended testis) is one of the most common congenital urogenital malformations in boys. Prevalence of cryptorchidism at birth among boys born with normal birth weight ranges from 1.8 to 8.4%. Cryptorchidism is associated with a risk of low semen quality and an increased risk of testicular germ cell tumors. Testicular hormones, androgens and insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3), have an essential role in the process of testicular descent from intra-abdominal position into the scrotum in fetal life. This explains the increased prevalence of cryptorchidism among boys with diseases or syndromes associated with congenitally decreased secretion or action of androgens, such as patients with congenital hypogonadism and partial androgen insensitivity syndrome. There is evidence to support that cryptorchidism is associated with decreased testicular hormone production later in life. It has been shown that cryptorchidism impairs long-term Sertoli cell function, but may also affect Leydig cells. Germ cell loss taking place in the cryptorchid testis is proportional to the duration of the condition, and therefore early orchiopexy to bring the testis into the scrotum is the standard treatment. However, the evidence for benefits of early orchiopexy for testicular endocrine function is controversial. The hormonal treatments using human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) to induce testicular descent have low success rates, and therefore they are not recommended by the current guidelines for management of cryptorchidism. However, more research is needed to assess the effects of hormonal treatments during infancy on future male reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiwat Rodprasert
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- The Population Research Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- *Correspondence: Wiwat Rodprasert
| | - Helena E. Virtanen
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- The Population Research Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Juho-Antti Mäkelä
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- The Population Research Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Jorma Toppari
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- The Population Research Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Pediatrics, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
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