COMBINED THERAPY WITH LHRH AND HCG IN CRYPTORCHID INFANTS

In 238 boys with cryptorchidism, between the ages of 4 and 48 months, luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) was administered as nasal spray 1.2 mg/day for 4 weeks. The nonresponders received human chorio nic gonadotropin (HCG) 500 I.U. i.m. three times a week for 3 weeks. W ith the combined treatment 37.8% of testes descended into the scrotum. Testicular descent occurred more often in patients whose testes were located in a lower position. Histological findings indicated a reducti on in the number and maturation of germ cells. A clear improvement of germ cells trophism was observed in boys hormonally treated and operat ed on before the 12th month of life. Early administered combined treat ment with LHRH and HCG can be considered as a substitution of the gona dotropins insufficiency manifested by most cryptorchid infants in the first months of life.