The importance of the gubernaculum in testicular migration during the human fetal period.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this review is to study the role of the gubernaculum in the testicular migration process during the human fetal period.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

We performed a descriptive review of the literature about the role of the gubernaculum in testicular migration during the human fetal period.

RESULTS

In the first phase of testicular migration, the gubernaculum enlarges to hold the testis near the groin and in the second phase the gubernaculum migrates across the pubic region to reach the scrotum. The proximal portion of the gubernaculum is attached to the testis and epididymis and the presence of multiple insertions in the distal gubernaculum is extremely rare. The presence of muscle and nerves in the human gubernaculum is very poor. The gubernaculum of patients with cryptorchidism has more fibrous tissue and less collagen and when the patients are submitted to hormonal treatment, the gubernaculum components alter significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

The gubernaculum presents significant structural modifications during testicular migration in human fetuses.