Growth and descent of the testes in infants with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism receiving subcutaneous gonadotropin infusion

BACKGROUND: One third of infants with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) are said to have micropenis and/or bilateral or unilateral cryptorchidism leading many of them to orchiopexy. Our previous study in two patients suggests that prolonged subcutaneous infusion of large doses of gonadotropins might normalize testicular function and growth. CASE PRESENTATION: To confirm the effects of early and prolonged subcutaneous infusion of large doses of gonadotropins on growth and descent of the testes. Eight boys with CHH, aged 0.25–11 months. Testes were non-palpable in 5 or in high scrotal position in 3. CHH was isolated in 5 infants and part of a syndrome of combined pituitary hormonal deficits in the 3 others. In response to gonadotropin infusion, mean levels of testicular hormones were normalized. Complete testis descent occurred in 6 patients. Partial descent occurred in 2. Testes re-ascended in 1 patient. Testes and penis gained normal dimensions in all cases. CONCLUSION: Subcutaneous gonadotropin infusion seems able to induce testis descent in a large proportion of infants with CHH. If confirmed, this may allow patients to avoid testes surgery but studies in larger series are needed to evaluate the benefits of this treatment versus traditional orchiopexy. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13633-016-0031-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.