Germ cell adenylyl cyclase activity in the human undescended testis and the effect of HCG-treatment.

In the present study we have examined the soluble Mn2+ dependent, germ cell specific adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity and germ cell morphology in testicular biopsies from twenty-three boys, aged 2-17 years, with undescended testes and three adult men with normally descended testes. Eight of the boys were treated with hCG immediately before surgery. Germ cell AC-activity (3.2-3.4 pmoles cAMP/mg protein/min) was found in the adult testes with normal germ cell morphology. Furthermore, low but significant AC-activity (0.2-0.8 pmoles cAMP/mg protein/min) was noted in biopsies containing only primary spermatocytes. There was no Mn2+ dependent AC-activity in Sertoli cell only testes or in testes where only spermatogonia were observed. Treatment with hCG did not influence germ cell maturation or soluble Mn2+ dependent AC-activity.