Estrogen And Estrogen Receptor-α,βSubtypes In Cryptorchidism

【Objective】To study the level of estrogen and the expression of estrogen receptorαand estrogen receptorβin cryptorchidism.【Methods】1.Serum levels of estradiol were studied by fluoresent immunocytometry in 46 patients with cryptorchidism(30 patients with unilateral cryptorchidism and 16 patients with bilateral cryptorchidism) and 44 patients with oblique inguinal hernia (Control group) .2.Expressions of ERαand ERβin chorda gubernaculum and tissue of tunica vaginalis were examined with immunohistochemistry.【Results】1. The serum estradiol level of patients with unilateral and bilateral cryptorchidism were both significantly higher than that of the control group(P both< 0.05) .2. ERαand ERβexpression:⑴ERαexpression was low in tunica vaginalis of all groups , there was no difference in them(Pall﹥0.05).But ERβexpression in tunica vaginalis of patients with cryptorchidism was higher than control group, demonstrated significant difference(P<0.05).⑵ERαexpression was also low in chorda gubernaculum,has no difference with that of tunica vaginalis(P>0.05).And ERβexpression was high,the same as that of tunica vaginalis(P>0.05). 【Conclusions】higher level of estradiol and higher expression of ERβis associated with altered gubernacular development and cryptorchidism.