Reproductive disorders of newborn (cryptorchidism, hypospadias) and young adult males
(low sperm counts, testicular germ cell cancer) are common and/or increasing in incidence.
It has been hypothesized that these disorders may comprise a testicular dysgenesis
syndrome (TDS) with a common origin in fetal life. This has been supported by findings in an
animal model of TDS involving fetal exposure to n (dibutyl) phthalate, as well as by new
clinical studies. Recent advances in understanding from such studies have led to refinement …