[Flow cytometric determination of DNA content of testicular cells in children with cryptorchidism].

The authors detected the DNA content of testicular cells in 25 cryptorchidism patients by flow cytometric analysis and discussed the clinical management of the disease. The patients were aged from 13 months to 9 years. Of the 25 patients one showed a tetraploid (4C), 24 diploid (2C), and no haploid (1C) in this series. No significant difference between bilateral and single testis was demonstrated but there was a minor difference in the ratio of 2C and 4C cells between those groups younger and older than 3 years. This finding indicated that in the group older than 3 years of age the testes become fibrotic and sclerotic. The evidence also confirms that the operation should be performed before age of 3 years.