Ultrastructural changes of cryptorchid testis

Chai, Soo Eung; Kwon, Dong Ouk

Abstract

Morphological studies have an important role in establishing the timing of irreversible damage occurred in cryptorchid testis. The present study was undertaken to determine how soon definitive sign or testis pathology may appear in cyptorchid testis. Testicular biopsies were collected at the time of orchiopexy from 79 patients during the period from January, 1988 to June, 1990, and then we examined ultrastructural changes of cryptorchid testis with light and electron microscopy. Comparing with normal testis, following results were obtained ; l. The volume of cryptorchid testis became smaller than normal after age of 14. 2. Mean tubular diameter became smaller after age of 14 and basement membrane thickened prominently after age of 20. 3. The increase number of mitochondria appeared at age of 2 4. Cytoplasmic vacuolization became prominent after age of 6, but detachment and loss of ribosome appeared at age of 20. 5. Tunica propria showed marked thickening and collagenous degeneration after age of 14. With above results, we suggest that orchiopexy should be done before age of 2.