Kernels – structure and functions. The most common diseases of the testicles

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The testicles are male gonads, or the basic male reproductive organs. They perform two very important functions that are very important for the male reproductive system: they produce gametes, i.e. sperm, and they secrete hormones, especially testosterone. Testicular disorders can lead to many problems.

Kernels – structure

The testicles are oval male organs located in the scrotum just behind the penis and just in front of the anus. Each testicle weighs between 10 and 15 grams, according to the Virtual Medical Center (VMC). They are usually about 5 cm long, 3 cm wide and 2,5 cm thick.

The scrotum is a loose skin bag that protects the testicles and is responsible for their temperature. This is because the testes must be slightly lower than body temperature for sperm to develop properly. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the muscles in the scrotal wall allow it to tighten and relax, moving the testicles closer to the body for a warmer temperature or further to cool it down.

Each testicle is made up of a series of small tubes or tubules that contain testosterone and sperm-producing cells. The seminal tubules contain germ cells – 23 chromosomal cells that men replicate to produce sperm – and they are the site of sperm production or spermatogenesis. These tubules are tightly folded in the testicles, and each testicle can contain up to 900 tubules. The tubules are almost 50 cm long, and a typical testicle contains up to 800 meters of seminal tubules.

The tubules are covered with fibrous tissue that consists of three layers: the uveal membrane (tunica vasculata), the inner layer consisting of blood vessels and connective tissue; whitish membrane (white coat), which surrounds the testes and connects to the fibers surrounding the epididymis that transports sperm from the testes to the penis; and vaginal sheath (vaginal coat), which contains a fluid that reduces friction between the testicles and the scrotum.

See also: The male brain and testicles are surprisingly similar. Surprising research by scientists

Kernels – Functions

In addition to sperm, the testes also produce male hormones called androgens. Androgens control the growth of the male reproductive system and the development of secondary sexual characteristics such as a beard and deep voice. They also affect sexual function.

Testosterone is the most common form of androgen. It is responsible for the growth of male sex organs and the production of sperm. According to the VMC, a healthy male’s testicles can produce about 6 milligrams of testosterone each day. However, this is not always the case, and experts say the testes can produce an average of 200 sperm per minute. It should be added, however, that as a man grows older and reaches his thirties, the amount of testosterone produced by the testicles begins to decline.

See also: What is the Tanner scale?

Testicles – the most common diseases and injuries

Testicular trauma

The testicles hang out of the body, making them vulnerable. Testicular injuries are common in contact sports. Men can protect their testicles by wearing athletic genital protectors when competing in any contact sport.

There are a number of possible symptoms of testicular trauma, including:

1. severe pain in the scrotum;
2. bruising and / or swelling in the scrotum;
3. pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen;
4. nausea and / or vomiting.

Most of the time, the testicles can absorb the shocks caused by trauma without seriously damaging them. For more serious injuries, you may need treatment and seek medical attention as soon as possible. In mild cases, your doctor will likely recommend medications, rest, and ice packs over the site of the injury. In more severe cases, an ultrasound will be ordered.

If the injury is severe, the testicle may rupture and leak blood from it. In these cases, surgery is needed to stop the bleeding, repair the rupture, and save the testicle.

See also: Could testicular pain be the only sign of COVID-19? Scientists are studying the effects of the coronavirus on men

Testicle torsion

In the scrotum, the testicle is attached to the body at the top by a structure called the spermatic cord. The spermatic cord contains the blood vessels that supply the testicles. When the string is twisted, the blood supply to the testicles is cut off. Loss of blood supply to the testicles can cause the following symptoms:

1. severe, sudden pain;
2. enlargement of the affected testicle;
3. testicular sensitivity;
4. nausea and vomiting.

If we notice these types of symptoms in ourselves, we should seek medical help immediately.

Testicular torsion is most common in adolescent men through their 20s, but it can also happen at other ages. Sometimes the torsion is caused by exercise or an injury, but most of the time it is due to the way the testicles sit in the scrotum; it is something we are born with.

Testicular torsion requires immediate surgery to restore blood flow. It is best if the operation is performed within four hours of the first symptoms. The longer the delay, the less likely the kernel is saved. If the blood flow in the testicle has been cut off for too long, it cannot be saved anymore and must be removed.

Testicles cancer

There are sperm cells in the testes, and the vast majority of testicular cancers start in these types of cells. For example, in the United States, testicular cancer is the most common type of cancer in men between the ages of 20 and 40. It most often develops in one testicle, but can occur in both testicles in 2% of cases.

By far the most common symptom is a painless lump in the testicle. However, there are other possible symptoms, including:

1. testicular pain;
2. a dull feeling of dragging in the scrotum.

Less common symptoms include:

1. dull pain in the lower abdomen;
2. back pain;
3. swelling of the lower legs;
4. bone ache;
5. cough;
6. breast swelling.

There are several known factors that increase your risk of developing testicular cancer:

Age: Testicular cancer is most common between the ages of 15 and 55 and is the most common type of cancer in men between the ages of 20 and 40.

Race: Caucasian males are 3,6 times more likely to develop testicular cancer than African-American males and 2,5 times more likely to develop testicular cancer than Asian males.

Having an undescended testicle (cryptorchidism): This is a condition in which one or both testicles do not descend from the abdomen into the scrotum.

Family history of testicular cancer: If we have a family history of testicular cancer, the risk of developing testicular cancer is higher.

Testicular cancer is a rare but highly curable form of cancer. There are several treatment options for this condition:

Surgery: The surgeon removes the cancerous testicle through an incision in the groin. In more advanced cases, it may also remove some lymph nodes in the abdomen.

Radiation therapy: This treatment option uses radiation to damage and destroy cancer cells.

Chemotherapy: This includes the use of drugs that kill cancer cells or stop their growth.

Early detection and treatment are important to the success of any cancer treatment, and the same is true for testicular cancer. If testicular cancer is found before it has spread beyond the testicle, the cure rate is as high as 99%. Even if it has spread to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body, with treatment, the long-term cure rate is between 80% and 90%.

As early detection is very important, one way to do this is to do a monthly self-examination of the testicles. Self-examination of the testicles is done after a warm bath or shower, when the skin on the scrotum is relaxed. After looking for any changes in appearance, you should carefully examine each testicle by rolling it between your fingers and thumbs to see if there are any lumps or changes in testicle size.

See also: Testicular cancer kills instantly

Inflammation of the epididymis

The epididymis is a long tube that is responsible for collecting, storing, and transporting sperm produced in the testes. The epididymis connects the testes to the vas deferens (tubes that carry sperm).

Epididymitis occurs when the tubules that make up the epididymis become inflamed or infected. This could be due to a urinary tract infection or sexually transmitted infection. Sometimes epididymitis can occur without infection. Regardless of the cause, there are several common symptoms of epididymitis, including:

1. scrotal pain;
2. swelling of the scrotum;
3. fever (in severe cases);
4. accumulation of pus or abscess (in severe cases).

The main form of treatment is antibiotics. Your doctor may also suggest rest, ice packs (to reduce swelling), testicular protector (to support the scrotum), and anti-inflammatory medications (such as ibuprofen). It’s worth noting that using condoms during sex can help prevent sexually transmitted infections that can lead to epididymitis. Be aware that untreated epididymitis can produce scar tissue that can block sperm from leaving the testicles. This can in turn cause fertility problems, especially if both testicles are affected.

See also: Testicular biopsy and diagnosis of male infertility

Hypogonadism

The testes are responsible for the production of testosterone. Testosterone is needed for the development and maintenance of male physical characteristics, including:

1. muscle mass and strength;
2. the distribution of adipose tissue;
3. bone masses;
4. sperm production;
5. sex drive;
6. facial and body hair.

Hypogonadism means that the testes (gonads) are not making enough testosterone. There are two types of hypogonadism:

1. primary hypogonadism – Occurs due to a problem with the testicles themselves.
2. secondary hypogonadism – The brain usually sends chemical information to the testes telling them to make testosterone. If this is disturbed, it leads to secondary hypogonadism.

Hypogonadism can occur at any time. When it occurs between birth and the onset of puberty, puberty does not occur. This means that the voice will not deepen, the sick person will not have a beard or pubic hair, and the testicles and penis will not enlarge.

If hypogonadism occurs in an adult, it can cause the following symptoms:

1. decreased sex drive;
2. reduced energy level;
3. problems getting an erection;
4. problems with having children;
5. depressed mood;
6. reduced growth of beard and body hair;
7. reduction in the size or firmness of the testicles;
8. decrease in muscle mass and increase in adipose tissue;
9. breast tissue overgrowth.

In addition, hypogonadism can cause psychological and emotional symptoms similar to those in postmenopausal women: hot flashes, mood swings, irritability, depression and fatigue.

Both types of hypogonadism can be caused by different factors. Primary hypogonadism may be caused by:

Klinefelter Syndrome: Males have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome. The Y chromosome contains genetic material that defines male sex and related male characteristics. Men with Klinefelter’s syndrome have an extra X chromosome. This causes abnormal development of the testicles and lower testosterone production.

Undescended testes: This condition is called cryptorchidism. This is because the testicles do not descend from the abdomen into the scrotum before birth. The undescended testicle does not develop normally, so there are problems with the production of testosterone and sperm.

Mumps orchitis: Some boys and men with mumps suffer from a painful swelling of the testicles called mumps orchitis. This condition damages the testicles and reduces both sperm and testosterone production.

Testicular Injury: Injury can damage the testicle’s ability to produce both testosterone and sperm.

Cancer treatment: Chemotherapy or radiation therapy can affect both testosterone and sperm production. Sometimes it’s temporary, but it can also be permanent. Many men choose to save their sperm before starting chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Chronic liver disease or chronic kidney disease: Chronic, severe disease can reduce the ability of the testes to make testosterone.

Some causes of secondary hypogonadism include:

Pituitary disorders: Head injuries or pituitary tumors affect testosterone production.

Kallman Syndrome: This is a genetic disease in which the hypothalamus does not send messages to the testes to make testosterone.

Medications: Anabolic steroids and opiates can lower testosterone production.

Life-threatening diseases: Any serious illness, such as a heart attack, head injury, or other serious trauma, can lead to a decrease in testosterone levels.

Inflammatory diseases: Certain inflammatory diseases, such as sarcoidosis, histiocytosis, and tuberculosis, can affect the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, thereby affecting testosterone production.

Meningitis: Meningitis can negatively affect the pituitary gland and lower testosterone levels.

Obesity: Overweight and obese men have lower testosterone levels than men who are not overweight.

The most important test for the diagnosis of hypogonadism is testosterone levels. This is a blood test that is done early in the morning.

Testosterone replacement therapy, on the other hand, is the most common treatment for hypogonadism. There are various forms of testosterone replacement therapy, including:

1. plaster transdermalny;
2. topical gel;
3. implantable pellets;
4. injections;
5. nosa spray;
6. buccal tablets.

Men’s health and testicles

Poor health can lead to a reduction in sperm and testosterone production. Maintaining a healthy weight has a big impact on the health of your testicles. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the chance of becoming infertile increases by 10 percent for every 10 pounds of excess weight in a man. Avoiding periodontal disease, STIs, stress, smoking, excessive drinking, and a poor diet can also be good for men’s reproductive health.

Keeping the testicles cool, just below normal body temperature, can also increase sperm count and quality, according to England’s National Health Service. An easy way to keep them cool is to wear loose-fitting clothes and take frequent breaks when we’re in a warm environment.

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