The cause of undescended testis and inguinal hernia

这项研究旨在确定在动物模型和儿童中，睾丸是如何从腹部下降到阴囊的，以及如何由相同的、非常间接的信号通路中的缺陷引起的未下降的睾丸和腹股沟疝气。这些结果将展示在哪里寻找遗传原因和未来可能的医学治疗的原则证据，这三种最常见的儿童先天性和获得性未降睾丸和腹股沟疝气的主要手术。

This study aims to define in both animal models and children how the testis descends from the abdomen to scrotum, and how undescended testis and inguinal hernia are likely to be caused by defects in the same, very indirect signalling pathway. The results will demonstrate where to look for genetic causes and proof of principle for possible future medical treatments for the 3 commonest major operations in children for congenital and acquired undescended testis and inguinal hernia.