Impaired serum inhibin-B and number of germ cells in boys with cryptorchidism following heavily gestational maternal smoking

Prospective cohort study of 601 cryptorchid boys demonstrates that heavy maternal gestational smoking (>10 cigarettes/day) is associated with lower birthweight, reduced germ cell numbers, decreased PLAP-positive cells, and impaired inhibin-B levels compared to sons of nonsmokers. Findings suggest placental dysfunction and altered hCG production as potential mechanisms linking maternal smoking to cryptorchidism pathogenesis.