ESPE Abstracts

Background: Proper endocrine function of testicles is essential for the healthy development of children and for adult life.

Methods: Hormonal profiles of patients (aged 1–18 years) were evaluated several years after surgical testicular torsion treatment. Blood samples were obtained between 11a.m and 1p.m. to measure serum levels of FSH, LH, AMH, testosterone, VEGF-A total, IGF-1, IGFBP-3 and autoantibodies against sperm and Leydig cells.

Results: Levels of FSH in patients after testicular torsion incidents were often higher than those in control group but still within the normal range. In the group of youngest boys AMH levels were normal or significantly lower than in the control group. Levels of the testosterone, VEGF-A, IGF-1, IGFBP-3 were normal for patients’ age. No sperm and leydig cells autoantibodies were found in the serum.

Conclusions: Due to testicular damage, FSH secretion is higher to compensate the loss of testicular function therefore the seroidogenesis was unaffected. Testicular torsion did not cause chronic autoimmunological process and did not affect vasculogenesis or IGF-1 axis. It seems that lower AMH levels in the youngest boys group can be a primordial abnormality – testicular torsion apperaing in those patients may be secondary to inproper testicular function. Futher investigations are needed.