Germ cell counts in semithin sections of biopsies of 115 unilaterally cryptorchid testes. The experience from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

One hundred and fifteen biopsies from unilateral cryptorchid prepubertal patients were embedded in Epon. Semithin sections were examined by light microscope and the germ cell count per tubule was calculated. The mean number of germ cells was normal from birth to 12 months of age and dropped below the lower limits of normal between 1 and 2 years. Germ cell counts rose considerably during the 18-months observation period with the highest counts occurring in the last 6 months. Variability in the clinical diagnosis of cryptorchidism or inherent heterogeneity in the testicular histology of cryptorchidism are possible explanations.