It is widely accepted that there are degenerative changes and decreased spermatogenesis in the contralateral descended testis
(CDT) in unilateral undescended testis (UUDT). While some investigators have postulated that the mechanism may be related
to primary (congenital) or secondary (autoimmune, vascular, and neural) events, the exact mechanism of the damage to the CDT
is still unknown. The present study was planned to investigate the role of the genitofemoral nerve (GFN) on the changes in
the CDT. Forty male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups of 10 each. During the newborn period a UUDT model was
created and at the age of 30 days ipsilateral GFN division was done (group A). In addition, UUDT with intact GFN (group B),
divided right GFN with bilateral scrotal testes (group C), and control (group D) groups were formed. When the animals reached
early adulthood, they were killed and the testes were removed. Mean seminiferous-tubular diameter (STD) and germinal-ephitelium
maturity was determined using modified Johnson testicular biopsy scores (TBS). The mean STD and TBS of the study groups did
not show any differences suggesting that ipsilateral division of the GFN has no effect on the CDT in the UUDT model.
Keywords Cryptorchidism - Genitofemoral nerve
Accepted: 11 August 2000