The Effect of the Cryptorchidism on the Testicular Volume and Gender Identity after Adolescence

Lee, Yun Jae; Ku, Ja Hyeon; Lee, Nam Kyu

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of cryptorchidism on the testicular volume and gender identity of young men within a community.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Of 27,202 men, aged 20 years, within the community, a 10% sampling fraction was randomly selected, of which 2,080 (a response rate 77.0%) agreed to participate in the study. All volunteers underwent a standard evaluation, including a detailed medical history and physical examination. To evaluate the influence of cryptorchidism on gender identity, we used the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) in the men without testicular disease, but who were observed to have cryptorchidism on physical examination, or had a history of operation for cryptorchidism.
RESULTS
Of the participants, 38 (1.8%) were observed to have cryptorchidism, or had a history of operation for cryptorchidism (right; 15, left; 21, bilateral; 2). Of these patients, 29 had a history of operation, with a mean age at the time of operation of 8.9+/-3.9 years, ranging from 2 to 19 years. Of the 36 patients with unilateral cryptorchidism, the contralateral testicular volume of the men that underwent an orchiopexy was no different to that of those that underwent an orchiectomy or that had no operation at all. Comparing the masculinity and femininity scores, using the BSRI between the orchiopexy and normal groups, the masculinity score of the orchiopexy group was lower than that of the normal group.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results demonstrate that a delayed orchiopexy does not improve the growth of the testicular volume on the affected side, or the masculine identity, in men with unilateral cryptorchidism. In addition, these findings suggest that there is a need to increase the awareness related to cryptorchidism amongst all parties involved in the health care of children.