Abnormal Germ Cell Development in Cryptorchidism

Abstract

Unilaterally undescended testes fail to establish an adequate adult stem cell pool which normally occurs at 2-3 months of age and fail to establish adequate meiosis which normally occurs at 4-5 years of age. Similar but less severe changes are seen in the contralateral descended testes. Defects in the two pubertal steps in germ cell maturation are associated with reduced total germ cell counts.