Sometimes the condition corrects itself, but if not, it can be treated with surgery. If not treated, it can lead to infertility or cancer. The UT Southwestern researchers have found that a hormone appears to be necessary for development of the tissue the testes follow as they descend. It's possible that doctors could one day test for this hormone, then provide supplements to allow the baby boys to develop normally, avoiding surgical treatment or other complications. The researchers also found that this hormone is important for women.
Women lacking the hormone have a more difficult time becoming pregnant.
The next steps in the research will involve finding exactly how this hormone works so doctors can duplicate what it does, finding ways to replace the hormone when it's missing and learning what happens when the hormone is replaced. That will lead to the development of treatments to prevent the problems caused by the missing hormone. Other Topics Health Watch is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.