An Anatomical Study on Testicular Descent and Gubernaculum in Human Foetuses

Descent of the testis from an intra-abdominal site in foetal life to scrotum is a mandatory developmental process to ensure that the normal spermatogenesis is established. Key anatomical event with regard to this is the thickening of the gubernaculum and regression. The objective of the study is to determine the timeline of descent of the testes vis-a-vis gubernaculum development and regression in human foetuses between 14 to 40 weeks. Materials and methods: The structural changes, the attachment of gubernaculum and testicular descent was observed in 30 aborted human foetuses of different gestational ages. Results: At 14 weeks testes were located at the abdomen near the deep inguinal ring. At 20-24 weeks the location of testis was above the inguinal ring and remained undescended or abdominal. At this stage was the change in the gubernacular structure was the most striking feature. The gubernaculum appeared as thick and bulky with testis adorned as a knob on its summit. Gubernaculum was cranially attachment to the lower pole of testes, epididymis and distally attached to inguinal canal and extended to scrotum, pubic bone and regressed at latter weeks .Testes were observed to migrate through inguinal canal during 26 to 28 weeks. After 32 weeks the testes were in the scrotum and gubernaculum was regressed. Conclusion: The testicular descent commences at 14 weeks. The testes migrate through inguinal canal from 26 to 28 weeks and descend to the scrotum after 32 weeks of gestation. Gubernaculum was seen to undergo noteworthy structural modifications during descent