Postpubertal cryptorchism. Morphofunctional study with special reference to Leydig's cells.

In a group of 17 patients of postpubertal age with unilateral (n = 15) or bilateral (n = 2) cryptorchism, a significant decrease in the tubular diameter was observed, in addition to Leydig cell hyperplasia (many with cytoplasm vacuolization and/or atrophy) in both the cryptorchid testes and in the contralateral scrotal testes. The number of testosterone-positive Leydig cells in testicular tissue sections, studied with peroxidase-antiperoxidase, was diminished in the cryptorchid testes, whereas in the contralateral scrotal testes it was similar to the control group. Together with normal testosterone levels and elevated luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels in peripheral blood, this leads us to think of a compensated dysfunction of the Leydig cells. This possible lower testosterone production by the Leydig cells in the cryptorchid testis is not borne out morphologically, where the volume of the organelles is similar to the contralateral scrotal testes.