Altered infant feeding patterns in boys with acquired nonsyndromic cryptorchidism

Abstract

Background Genetic and environmental factors likely influence susceptibility to nonsyndromic cryptorchidism, a common disease presenting at birth or in later childhood. We compared cases and controls to define differential risk factors for congenital vs. acquired cryptorchidism. Methods We compared questionnaire and clinical data from cases of congenital cryptorchidism (n=230), acquired cryptorchidism (n=182) and hernia/hydrocele (n=104) with a group of healthy male controls (n=358). Potential predictor variables (p<0.2 in univariable analysis) were included in stepwise multivariable logistic regression models. Results Temporary (odds ratio (OR) 0.5; 95% CI 0.4, 0.8) or exclusive (OR 0.6; 95% CI 0.4, 0.9) breastfeeding was reduced and soy formula feeding increased (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.2, 2.9) in acquired but not congenital or hernia/hydrocele groups. Highest risk estimates were observed for primary soy formula feeding with limited or no breastfeeding (OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.4, 4.3; adjusted OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.4, 5.4) in the acquired group. Primary feeding risk estimates were equivalent or strengthened when multivariable models were limited to age >2 years, full term/non-SGA or Caucasian subjects. Pregnancy complications and increased maternal exposure to cosmetic or household chemicals were not consistently associated with either form of cryptorchidism in these models. Conclusions Our data support reduced breastfeeding and soy formula feeding as potential risk factors for acquired cryptorchidism. Although additional studies are needed, hormonally-active components of breast milk and soy formula could influence the establishment of normal testis position in the first months of life, leading to apparent ascent of testes in childhood.

Cryptorchidism in Boys With Cerebral Palsy Is Associated With the Severity of Disease and With Co-Occurrence of Other Congenital Anomalies

“…We also observed apparent acquired cryptorchidism in boys who had undergone prior inguinal hernia repair, but biopsy data in this population has suggested that maldescent in these cases is likely primary and not truly iatrogenic (26). In a comparison of the present data and those for acquired cryptorchidism, we found that both sides are more commonly affected (69%) in CP, but the milder phenotype (77% of testes distal to the external ring) and the prevalence of associated inguinal hernia (56%) are similar to those we reported for uncomplicated cases of testicular ascent (79 and 46%, respectively) (27). It remains unclear if cremaster hyperactivity in otherwise normal children and spasticity in boys with CP both predispose to testicular ascent.…”

Phenotype Specific Association of the TGFBR3 Locus with Nonsyndromic Cryptorchidism

“…Blood samples or excess tissue were collected and stored at −80°C or in RNAlater (Qiagen). As described in a previous report, 7 we categorized the cases into different phenotypic subgroups. Nonscrotal position was defined as distal if the most severely affected cryptorchid testis was located at or beyond the external inguinal ring and proximal if at least one testis was located within the inguinal canal or abdomen.…”

Pathway analysis supports association of nonsyndromic cryptorchidism with genetic loci linked to cytoskeleton-dependent functions

“…Blood samples or excess tissue from UDT cases were collected and stored at 2808C or in RNAlater (Qiagen). Subphenotypes were categorized based on prior reports (Barthold et al, 2012(Barthold et al, , 2015. UDT were defined as distal if both testes were situated beyond the external inguinal ring and proximal if at least one testis was positioned within the inguinal canal or abdomen.…”