A Current Perspective on Variations in Male Urogenital Development under Changing Environmental Conditions

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, the deterioration of male reproductive health and the increasing incidence of urogenital anomalies such as hypospadias, cryptorchidism, and micropenis have been associated with environmental endocrine disruptors. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of micropenis and other urogenital anomalies in healthy full-term male newborns in our country. A secondary aim of the study was to contribute further to national data by recording penile measurements, along with gestational age, in infants in whom micropenis was not detected.
METHODS: In this study, the findings of urogenital examinations performed by the same physician during routine neonatal check-ups were evaluated in healthy male infants born at term (38–42 weeks of gestation) within a one-month period, at Zeynep Kamil Women and Children’s Hospital.
RESULTS: Among the 230 newborns examined, the incidence of hypospadias was 0.43%, and hydrocele 8.2%, while no cases of cryptorchidism were observed. The mean penile length was found to be 3.14±0.36 cm, and the mean penile diameter was 1.5±0.24 cm, with no cases of micropenis detected.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: No significant increase in the prevalence of hypospadias and cryptorchidism was observed. A significant correlation was found between penile length and birth weight, but no such relationship was identified with gestational age. The findings emphasize the need for ethnic-specific reference standards and larger-scale studies to better understand the impact of endocrine disruptors on male reproductive health.

Keywords: Endocrine disruptors, hypospadias, mean penile length, micropenis, urogenital anomalies