Testicular changes during infantile 'quiescence' in the marmoset and their gonadotrophin dependence: a model for investigating susceptibility of the prepubertal human testis to cancer therapy?

Abstract

These findings reinforce the view that the 'childhood' testis is not quiescent. This may explain the damaging effects of some cancer therapies on subsequent fertility of boys and raises the issue of protective intervention. The present studies suggest that GnRH antagonist-based intervention might be only partially successful. Identification of the factors regulating spermatogonial development in the infant marmoset may aid in the design of such strategies.