| Objective: To investigate the localization and expression characteristics of androgen receptor(AR) , epidermal growth factor (EGF) and it's receptor (EGFR) in genital tissue of children with hypospadias.Methods: Dorsal prepuce, ventral perimeatal skin and urethral plate from 25 children with hypospadias and 4 with isolated penile curvature (group IV) were harvested in surgery. Prepuce from 18 boys in circumcision was used as control. The expression intensity and distribution of AR, EGF and EGFR were assessed with immunohistochemistry.Results:â‘ AR, EGFR and EGF expression were positive in specimens from group of hypospadias, group IV chordee and control.â‘¡In hypospadias group, AR expression was decreased in dorsal, ventral skin and urethral plate compared to normal control. Significant decrease of AR expression was noted in urethral plate when compared to that in dorsal and ventral skin, and no significant difference was detected between dorsal and ventral specimens. Stratified analysis showed a similar expression mode in severe hypospadias group. In mild to moderate hypospadias group, no significant difference was shown when dorsal and ventral skin specimens were compared to that in normal control, with AR expression diminished in urethral plate, and AR decrease was relative to severity of chordee.â‘¢No significant difference of EGF and EGFR expression was detected between skin specimens from hypospadias and normal control, and between dorsal and ventral specimens from hypospadias. Decreased expression of EGF and EGFR was noted in urethral plate. Stratified analysis suggested that expression of EGF and EGFR in mild to moderate chordee group was indifferent to that in normal control. In severe chordee group, EGF in ventral skin, EGF and EGFR in urethral plate were significantly lower than those in control. EGFR in urethral plate was significantly lower than that in dorsal skin in severe chordee group.Conclusions:â‘ AR expression was decreased in penile skin in hypospadias, especially in urethral plate.â‘¡EGF and EGFR expression were deficient in penile skin in hypospadias with severe chordee, especially in urethral plate.â‘¢Recognition and management of the nature and severity of chordee should be emphasized in hypospadias correction. |
