OBJECTIVETo investigate the etiopathogenesis of congenital hypospadias and the regulating effect of exogenous human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) on the epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the phallus of hypospadiac mice.

METHODSMouse models of congenital hypospadias were established. Fifty healthy male mice randomly selected as normal controls received intraperitoneal injection of normal saline, and another 50 with hypospadias were equally divided into an experimental control group, intraperitoneally injected with 1 ml normal saline, and 4 hCG dose groups treated by hCG intraperitoneal injection at 50 IU, 100 IU, 150 IU and 200 IU respectively for 7 consecutive days. The concentrations of EGF in the phallus and serum were detected in different groups by ELISA.

RESULTSThe concentrations of EGF in the phallus were significantly lower in the hypospadias rats than in the normal controls (P < 0.05), the 150 IU and 200 IU hCG groups showing significant differences from the 50 IU, 100 IU and experimental control groups (P < 0.05), as the 50 IU, 100 IU and experimental control groups from the normal control (P < 0.05). But no obvious difference was found in EGF concentration in the serum among different groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNonsteroidal antiandrogen and decreased concentration of EGF in the mouse phallus may be associated with the etiology of hypospadias. And exogenous hCG at 150 IU or 200 IU can increase the concentration of EGF in the phallus of mice with congenital hypospadias.