MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

The main function of the male reproductive system is producing sperm cells and transporting them to the female reproductive system.

The male reproductive system consists of the testes (or testicles), epididymides, ductus deferentia, urethra, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, bulbourethral glands, scrotum, and penis. Sperm cells are very temperature sensitive and do not develop normally at usual body temperatures. The testes and epididymides are located outside the body cavity where the temperature is low.

The testes are contained in a pouch of skin, called the scrotum. In each testis there is a tightly packed mass of coiled tubes surrounded by a protective capsule. At puberty the testes begin to produce the sperm cells (spermatozoa) that are used in reproduction. This process continues throughout life. In addition to producing sperm cells the testes secrete the male hormone testerone, which plays an important role in the development and maintenance of the typical masculine physical characteristics, such as facial hair, greater muscle mass and strength, and a deeper voice. The sperm cells are constantly being produced within each testis. They are transported through the epididymides and the ductus deferentia and then stored in the seminal vesicles. The mixture of the sperm cells with the fluids formed by the seminal vesicles and the prostate gland forms the semen that is ejaculated during sexual activity. Although sperm cells make up only a small portion of the semen, a single ejaculation contains as many as 500 million sperm. After sexual intercourse, one of these cells may reach and fertilize an egg in the female. The prostate gland contributes fluids to the semen. As a man ages, the prostate gland frequently enlarges. The urethra, which runs the length of the penis through its center, carries urine during voiding and semen during ejaculation. The urethra exits from the pelvis and passes through the penis to the outside of the body.

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INFERTILITY

Infertility is a common problem in partners. Fortunately, major advances have been made in recent decades, and the problem of infertility can be solved in many cases. Problems of infertility can include problems with the sperm, problems with egg, or difficulties encountered in their union. Abnormal function of the fallopian tube or uterus, infections, and immunologic and other factors may also cause infertility. Infertility problems also can result from sexual dysfunction.

To physicians, the term infertility usually means the inability to become pregnant after 1 year of frequent sexual intercourse without using any contraception.

Ten to 15 percent of couples are infertile. Of these couples, the man is the infertile partner in about 30 percent of cases and contributes to the infertility problem in an additional 20 percent of cases; the woman is infertile 50-70 percent of the time. In both men and women, various factors can account for infertility. Forty percent of infertile couples have more than one cause of their infertility. Thus, the physician will begin a comprehensive infertility examination of both partners.

The most cause of infertility in men is a slow sperm cell count. Normal sperm counts range from 75,000,000 to 400,000,000 sperm cells. If the sperm cell count drops to 20,000,000 sperm cells per milliliter, the male is usually sterile. Decreased sperm cell count can occur because of damage to the testes (e.g., because of mumps, radiation, or trauma), obstruction of the duct system, or inadequate hormone production.

In women, the failure to release an egg, is responsible for infertility problems in up to 15 percent of cases. It can be caused by various factors. We know of uterine’s and immunologic factors’ being a cause of infertility.

In some cases the physicians don’t know exactly the reasons of infertility’s occurring.

The numerous treatments for infertility depend on the cause. Recent developments in therapy have increased the number of once-infertile couples who can achieve pregnancy. Various means of insemination or embryo transfer may be possible so that the woman can still become pregnant.

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BREAST CANCER

Breast canceris the disease women fear most. Experts predict 178,000 women will develop breast cancer in the United States in 2007. Breast cancer can also occur in men, but it's far less common. For 2007, the predicted number of new breast cancers in men is 2,000.

Yet there's more reason for optimism than ever before. In the last 30 years, doctors have made great strides in early diagnosis and treatment of the disease and in reducing breast cancer deaths. In 1975, a diagnosis of breast cancer usually meant radical mastectomy – removal of the entire breast along with underarm lymph nodes and muscles underneath the breast. Today, radical mastectomy is rarely performed. Instead, there are more and better treatment options, and many women are candidates for breast-sparing operations.

Knowing the signs and symptoms of breast cancer may help save your life. When the disease is discovered early, you have more treatment options and a better chance for a cure.

Most breast lumps aren't cancerous. Yet the most common sign of breast cancer for both men and women is a lump or thickening in the breast. Often, the lump is painless. Other potential signs of breast cancer include: a spontaneous clear or bloody discharge from your nipple, often associated with a breast lump, retraction or indentation of your nipple, a change in the size or contours of your breast, any flattening or indentation of the skin over your breast, redness or pitting of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange, a number of conditions other than breast cancer can cause your breasts to change in size or feel. Breast tissue changes naturally during pregnancy and your menstrual cycle. Other possible causes of noncancerous (benign) breast changes include fibrocystic changes, cysts, fibroadenomas, infection or injury.

If you find a lump or other change in your breast – even if a recent mammogram was normal – see your doctor for evaluation. If you haven't yet gone through menopause, you may want to wait through one menstrual cycle before seeing your doctor. If the change hasn't gone away after a month, have it evaluated promptly.

A diagnosis of breast cancer is one of the most difficult experiences you can face. In addition to coping with a potentially life-threatening illness, you must make complex decisions about treatment.

Treatments exist for every type and stage of breast cancer. Most women will have surgery and an additional (adjuvant) therapy such as radiation, chemotherapy or hormone therapy. Experimental treatments are also available at cancer treatment centers.

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WHOOPING COUGH

Whooping cough – known medically as pertussis – is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection. Although it initially resembles an ordinary cold, whooping cough may eventually turn more serious, particularly in infants. In the more advanced stages, it's marked by the symptom that gives the disease its name: a severe, hacking cough followed by a high-pitched intake of breath that sounds like "whoop."

Whooping cough is more serious in children, especially infants younger than 6 months of age.

Once you become infected with the bacterium that causes whooping cough, it takes a few days to a few weeks for signs and symptoms to appear. When they do, they're usually mild at first and resemble those of a common cold, such as: a runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, red, watery eyes, a mild fever, dry cough, general feeling of being unwell and loss of appetite, after a week or two, signs and symptoms become worse and usually include: severe coughing attacks that bring up thick phlegm.

Coughing attacks that end with a high-pitched whoop sound as you gasp for air. These may be so severe that your child vomits or turns red or blue from the effort.

Fatigue from coughing so much. In adults, signs and symptoms of whooping cough may resemble those of bronchitis, a respiratory infection that causes a nagging cough – you may have heard it referred to as the "100-day cough." Babies and infants with whooping cough may not whoop at all, or at least not as loudly as older children do. Some children with whooping cough may experience choking spells and turn blue in the face as they struggle to breathe after a coughing fit.

Severe coughing can result in tiny red spots caused by ruptures in blood vessels at the skin's surface (petechiae) in your upper body, as well as small areas of bleeding in the whites of your eyes. You may even bruise or break a rib if your coughing episodes are severe. Coughing may be worse at night.

Even after treatment to destroy the bacteria, your body continues to repair the damage to the lining of your trachea. As a result, the cough often lingers after the initial illness. With time, coughing usually lessens but can persist for six weeks or longer. Some people may even experience recurring episodes of coughing over the course of a year, especially when they contract a cold or other respiratory infection.

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Date: 2015-12-17; view: 962