An in vitro system for experimentally induced cryptorchidism.

Cryptorchidism is one of the most common abnormalities of male sexual development, and is characterized by the failure of the testis to descend into the scrotum. Despite extensive studies of cryptorchidism over the past century, the mechanisms for temperature-induced germ-cell loss are not well understood. All of the main cell types in the testis are believed to be affected by the elevated testis temperature induced by cryptorchidism.