Clinical and endocrinological evaluation of patients with congenital microphallus

P. C. Walsh, J. D. Wilson, Terry Devereaux Allen, J. D. Madden, J. C. Porter, W. B. Neaves, Jim Griffin III, W. E. Goodwin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

Eight patients with congenital microphallus were investigated. Plasma luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone and androstenedione levels were obtained in all cases. In addition, the response to the administration of human chorionic gonadotropin, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone and adrenocorticotropic hormone, the assessment of testicular histology by electron microscopy and the measurement of dihydrotestosterone formation by preputial skin were determined in some patients. The results of these studies were compared to similar studies in 6 normal prepubertal boys, 4 boys with bilateral cryptorchidism, 1 male infant with anorchia and 1 adult with hypogonadism. The clinical and endocrinological findings in the 8 patients with microphallus can be divided into 2 distinct categories. In 5 patients the disorder is familial, gonadotropin levels are low and there is a normal response to stimulation with chorionic gonadotropin. The data are compatible with the possibility that 3 (possibly 5) of the 8 patients with microphallus have hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. In the other group the cases are sporadic, serum luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels are elevated and plasma testosterone failed to increase after short-term treatment with chorionic gonadotropin. In these patients a primary testicular disorder appears to be responsible. Experimental and clinical evidence suggests that microphallus results from defective testicular function during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, either as the result of defective gonadotropin secretion or defective androgen synthesis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)90-95
Number of pages6
JournalUnknown Journal
Volume120
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1978

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Urology

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