Is the scrotal testis normal in unilateral cryptorchidism?

Bilateral testicular biopsies were performed on 66 children undergoing orchiopexy for unilateral cryptorchidism and the tubular fertility index (TFI) recorded. The results in both the descended and undescended testes at various ages were compared with previously reported control data. There were no significant differences between the germ cell activity of the scrotal testis in cases with unilateral cryptorchidism and that of controls. By contrast, the mean TFI of the undescended testis was significantly less than that of control patients of all ages. In neither group was there evidence of a progressive loss of germ cell activity during childhood. It is concluded that there is little to be gained from very early orchiopexy, performed before the third year of life.