During infancy low levels of follicle-stimulating hormone may result in high rate of germ cell apoptosis

Study of 30 infants with cryptorchidism demonstrates that low FSH levels correlate with significantly higher germ cell apoptosis rates (>90% in 50% of low-FSH cases vs 15% in normal/high-FSH cases). Findings suggest FSH may play a protective role against germ cell death during early testicular development.