Editor’s Comment: LH-RH analogue for unilateral cryptorchidism

Abstract

The May -June 2008 issue of the International Braz J Urol presents interesting contributions from different countries, and as usual, the editor's comment highlights some papers. Doctor Hadziselimovic, from Kindertagesklinik, Liestal, Switzerland, confirmed on page 319 that LH-RH analogue (LH-RHa) treatment induces an increase in maturation of the germ cells. The author studied 30 unilateral cryptorchid boys, with an average age of 3 years at the time of surgery. Testicular biopsy showed that they had impaired testicular maturation and were therefore at high risk for infertility. Fifteen of the 30 unilateral cryptorchid boys were treated with 10 µg LH-RHa (Buserelin) nasal spray, administered on alternate days for a period of 6 months, following orchiopexy. The control group consisted of 15 cryptorchid boys who had been treated by Schoemakers type of orchiopexy, alone. After puberty, the ejaculates of both groups were analyzed. He found that all males in the untreated group were severely oligospermic, with 20% being azoospermic. In contrast, 86% of the treated ex-cryptorchid males had a sperm concentration within the normal range. For the first time it was demonstrated that infertility in cryptorchidism could be successfully corrected when suitably treated with a LH-RHa. This innovative hormonal treatment will have a profound effect on the current recommended surgical treatment of boys with undescended testes. Dr.