Antiandrogen induced cryptorchidism in the pig is associated with failed gubernacular regression and epididymal malformations.

PURPOSE

Can antiandrogens cause cryptorchidism in an animal model with a strip-like gubernaculum? If so, what anatomical abnormalities are associated with cryptorchidism?

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Timed pregnant sows received the antiandrogen flutamide during defined gestational intervals. Fetal pigs were evaluated for the presence of testicular undescent and for morphological paratesticular abnormalities at 110 days of gestation (birth).

RESULTS

Of 180 testes 84 (47%) were undescended and 9 (5%) were in the abdominal cavity. No undescended testis (0 of 200 testes) were found in control animals (p < 0.001). Epididymal anomalies were found in all intra-abdominal testes, which was significant when compared to the epididymal abnormalities found with inguinal undescended testes (0%) or descended testes (1%) (p < 0.001). Alterations in gubernacular morphology, in particular failure of gubernacular regression, were also directly associated with cryptochidism (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Androgens partially control transabdominal and transinguinal descent of the porcine testis. In addition, antiandrogen induced cryptorchidism is associated with epididymal malformation and failure of gubernacular regression. It remains to be determined if these latter findings are only associated with or the cause of testicular undescent.