EARLY TREATMENT OF CRYPTORCHIDISM, SEMEN QUALITY AND TESTICULAR ENDOCRINOLOGY

Purpose: We evaluated the effect of patient age at treatment of crypto rchidism in relation to subsequent semen quality. Materials and Method s: Semen analyses and hormonal evaluations were performed in 51 men wh o were treated for cryptorchidism at ages 10 months to 12 years. Resul ts: Sperm concentration was normal in 90% of the patients with unilate ral and 50% with bilateral cryptorchidism. No patient treated before a ge 4 years had severe sperm defects. Elevated follicle-stimulating hor mone levels indicated severe testicular damage. Conclusions: Fertility is better in patients with bilateral cryptorchidism if treated before age 4 years. Age at treatment did not have a significant effect on se men quality in patients with unilateral cryptorchidism.