Medical Articles

Male hypogonadism is a clinical syndrome resulting from decreased production of testosterone (T4), sperm, or both, and can be caused by congenital or acquired disorders. Depending on the cause, hypogonadism is classified as primary or secondary.

Testicular torsion is an emergency and can lead to primary hypogonadism. Testicular torsion begins suddenly, and patients experience intractable pain due to decreased blood supply to the testicles. Testicular torsion also causes injury to germ cells, depending on the ischemia and severity of cord twisting.

Epididymitis and orchitis, caused by infectious or non-infectious agents. Orchitis usually occurs as a result of epididymitis that spreads to the surrounding tissues. Inflammation of the male reproductive organ affects fertility by decreasing the numbers of germ cells and Sertoli cells.

When cultured as aggregates in suspension, embryonic stem cells form three-dimensional, multicellular complexes called embryoid bodies. These spherical structures resemble the egg cylinders of embryos 6 to 8 days after fertilization.