Researches on the testicular dysgenesis syndrome (TDS) have flourished in the recent decade, and a widely accepted view on its pathogenesis is that environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) act on Leydig cells and/or testicular Sertoli cells, resulting in abnormal development of the testis and leading to the symptoms of TDS. Molecular biological studies suggest a correlation of TDS etiology with insulin-like factor 3 (INSL-3), androgen receptor (AR), P27kip, WT-1 and Müllerian inhibiting substance (MIS). This review focuses on the progress in current researches on the etiology and mechanism of TDS.
Cryptorchidism ; Gonadal Dysgenesis ; etiology ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Testicular Diseases ; etiology ; genetics ; Testicular Neoplasms

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical and genetic characteristics of a 46,XX case of testicular disease with prostate germ cell tumor and explore its pathogenesis. METHODS: The clinical features and pathological examination of the patient were reviewed, and the genetic basis was analyzed by chromosome karyotyping analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization. RESULTS: The patient had slightly short stature, small testicles and large breast. Serum alpha fetoprotein was significantly increased, along with increased follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and prolactine, and lower level of testosterone. The karyotype was 46,XX. Fluorescence in situ hybridization has identified the presence of SRY gene at the end of short arm of one X chromosome. The pathological diagnosis was primary germ cell tumor of prostate, mainly of yolk sac tumor type. CONCLUSION A rare case of 46,XX testicular disorder of sex development combined with germ cell tumor of the prostate was diagnosed, which has enriched the phenotype spectrum of the disease and provided clues for the treatment of the disease.
Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Male ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/genetics* ; Prostate ; Sexual Development ; Testicular Diseases

Testicular microlithiasis (TM) is one of the symptoms of testicular dysgenesis syndrome (TDS). TM is particularly interesting as an informative marker of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs). KIT ligand gene (KITLG), BCL2 antagonist/killer 1 (BAK1), and sprouty RTK signaling antagonist 4 (SPRY4) genes are associated with a high risk of TGCTs, whereas bone morphogenetic protein 7 gene (BMP7), transforming growth factor beta receptor 3 gene (TGFBR3), and homeobox D cluster genes (HOXD) are related to TDS. Using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis, we investigated allele and genotype frequencies for KITLG (rs995030, rs1508595), SPRY4 (rs4624820, rs6897876), BAK1 (rs210138), BMP7 (rs388286), TGFBR3 (rs12082710), and HOXD (rs17198432) in 142 TGCT patients, 137 TM patients, and 153 fertile men (control group). We found significant differences in the KITLG GG_rs995030 genotype in TM (P = 0.01) and TGCT patients (P = 0.0005) compared with the control. We also revealed strong associations between KITLG_rs1508595 and TM (G allele, P = 0.003; GG genotype, P = 0.01) and between KITLG_rs1508595 and TGCTs (G allele, P = 0.0001; GG genotype, P = 0.0007). Moreover, there was a significant difference in BMP7_rs388286 between the TGCT group and the control (T allele, P = 0.00004; TT genotype, P = 0.00006) and between the TM group and the control (T allele, P = 0.04). HOXD also demonstrated a strong association with TGCTs (rs17198432 A allele, P = 0.0001; AA genotype, P = 0.001). Furthermore, significant differences were found between the TGCT group and the control in the BAK1_rs210138 G allele (P = 0.03) and the GG genotype (P = 0.01). KITLG and BMP7 genes, associated with the development of TGCTs, may also be related to TM. In summary, the KITLG GG_rs995030, GG_rs1508595, BMP7 TT_rs388286, HOXD AA_rs17198432, and BAK1 GG_rs210138 genotypes were associated with a high risk of TGCT development.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Calculi/genetics* ; Case-Control Studies ; Cohort Studies ; DNA/genetics* ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Gonadal Dysgenesis/genetics* ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/genetics* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Testicular Diseases/genetics* ; Testicular Neoplasms/genetics* ; Ultrasonography ; Young Adult