The hypothalamus-pituitary-testis axis in boys during the first six months of life: A comparison of cryptorchidism and hypospadias cases with controls

It is inconclusive whether the feedback mechanisms of the hypothalamus-pituitary-testis (HTP) axis are already established in the first 6 months of life, partly due to the dramatic changes in HPT-axis hormone levels over this period. Moreover, it is unclear whether these hormone levels are aberrant in boys with cryptorchidism or hypospadias, and...

Response: The hypothalamus-pituitary-testis axis in cryptorchid boys

The cryptorchidism prevalence among infants in the general population of Rotterdam, the Netherlands

The cryptorchidism prevalence among infants in the general population of Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Published trends and geographical differences in cryptorchidism rates are almost exclusively derived from, hospital-based birth defect registers, which are sensitive to selection bias and incomplete reporting. This study aimed to accurately assess the cryptorchidism prevalence in the general population of Rotterdam. Of 7652 consecutive male live...

Maternal and paternal risk factors for cryptorchidism and hypospadias: A case-control study in newborn boys

Little is known on environmental risk factors for cryptorchidism and hypospadias, which are among the most frequent congenital abnormalities. The aim of our study was to identify risk factors for cryptorchidism and hypospadias, with a focus on potential endocrine disruptors in parental diet and occupation. In a case–control study nested within a...

Bilateral teesticular microlithiasis predicts the presence of the precursor of testicular germ cell tumors in subfertile men

Purpose: A high prevalence of testicular microlithiasis has been described in adolescent and adult clinical cases of invasive testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT), that is seminomas and nonseminomas. However, to our knowledge it remains to be established whether testicular microlithiasis also indicates the presence of the pre-invasive lesion of...

Inhibin B: A novel marker of spermatogenesis

Subfertilíty affects about 1 59b of all couples. Assessment of spermatogenesis has a central role in the evaluation of the subfertile couple. Classical markers of spermatogenesis, such as semen analysis, testicular biopsy and endocrine evaluation all have their diagnostic limitations. There is a clear need for accurate additional markers of...

Subtotal obstruction of the male reproductive tract

Bilateral obstruction of the male reproductive tract is suspected in men with azoospermia, normal testicular volume and normal FSH. A testicular biopsy is required to differentiate between an obstruction and a testicular insufficiency. Unilateral or subtotal bilateral obstructions and epididymal dysfunction may cause severe oligozoospermia in...

The effect of cryptorchidism on inhibin B in a subfertile population

Environmental influences on male reproduction

Considerable concern has been raised in recent publications that oestrogen-lihe compounds in either food or the environment cause adverse effects on reproductive health. There is clear evidence that reproductive disruption in wildlife may be caused by environmental pollutants and more specifÌcally by endocrine-disrupting compounds. The increase...

Increased serum inhibin B levels after varicocele treatment

The advantages of standardized evaluation of male infertility

Healthcare can be improved by standardization and by evaluation of diagnostic methods and treatments. In the field of andrology, in which large patient numbers are required for the evaluation of diagnostic procedures and treatments, structured data collection and multicentre studies are especially warranted. Concomitant with routine clinical...

Is routine scrotal ultrasound advantageous in infertile men?

Purpose: We determine the value of routine scrota1 ultrasonography in the evaluation of male infertility. Materials and Methods: Scrota1 color Doppler ultrasonography reports of 1,372 infertile men were reviewed to assess the prevalence of scrotal abnormalities and compared to clinical findings. Results: The prevalence of scrotal abnormalities...

Restructuring routinely collected patient data: Orxa applied to andrology

Standaardisatie van semen-analyse

De analyse van het semen is de hoeksteen van de evaluatie van mannelijke subfertiliteit. Het is al geruime tijd bekend dat als gevolg van het ontbreken van een gestandaardiseerd protocol, een interne en een externe kwaliteitsbewaking, de nauwkeurigheid hiervan sterk te wensen over laat. Echter, met de komst van geavanceerde artificiële...