Salivary testosterone in cryptorchid pubertal boys: a parameter to assess the gonadal function.

The authors studied salivary and serum testosterone (T) levels in basal conditions and at 6 and 12 months after orchidopexy in 36 pubertal boys with unilateral or bilateral cryptorchidism. Boys were divided into two groups according to Tanner classification. Salivary and serum T levels were significantly lower in the group with scanty or absent sexual development than those obtained in the group with normal development. Both groups exhibited similar saliva and serum testosterone values at 12 months of the follow-up study. The data shown indicate that salivary T seems a good index for evaluating the androgenic status of these patients.