Evaluation of Normal Testicular Volume among Some Egyptian Fertile Men
Ahmed Amin Shaheen Ismail;
Abstract
Summary
T
he testicle is a symmetrical ovoid organ, slightly flattened transversally, which is situated below the penis and contained in a cutaneous sac (scrotum) suspended at the inferior end of the spermatic cord.
At birth, the testis measures approximately 1.5 cm in length and 1 cm in width. Before the age of age 12 years, testicular volume is about 1–2 cm3. Clinically, a male individual is considered to have reached puberty once the testis achieves a volume of 4 cm3.
The normal adult testis measures approximately 4 x 3 x 3 cm, but varies from 3-5 cm in length, 2-3 cm in width and 2-3 cm in antero-posterior diameter and have volume of 18 - 30 ml, and the weight of the testis varies from 10-14 gm,because seminiferous tubules comprise 70% to 80% of the testicular mass, the testicular volume is believed to reflect spermatogenesis.
Accurate testicular volume measurement is important for assessing testicular function. A relationship has been shown between the testicular volume and the semen profiles in infertile men, and testicular volume measurement has been useful in estimating spermatogenesis.
The process of spermatogenesis is regulated by a complex interplay of endocrine and paracrine signals. The master control hormone is gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), produced by specialized neurons in the hypothalamus. Pulsatile GnRH production signals gonadotroph cells in the anterior pituitary to produce follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) that then act on the testis to regulate spermatogenic potential. LH binds to receptors on the surface of Leydig cells in the testis and stimulates the production of testosterone and FSH binds to receptors on the surface of sertoli cells for production of sperms.
Accurate measurements of testicular volume are critical in evaluation of testicular growth and function in adolescents and adults. Several measurement tools and techniques are used for clinical examination of testicular volume, including orchidometer, caliper, rulers and ultrasonography.
Ultrasound is generally recognized as the most reliable means of measuring in situtesticular volume. Ultrasound is usually used as astandard for the comparison of different measurement techniques. However, some authors have found large variability in US estimates based on the examiner and the formula used. An experimental study determined that the most accurate formula for US estimates was length (L) × width (W) × height (H) × 0.71.
In this study our aim was to evaluatethe testicular volume in some egyptian fertile men by using caliper for one hundred patients then further using ultrasound for fifty of those patient, the mean testicular volume by caliper in all patients was 21.51 ± 1.27cm3, while that of US for 50 patients was 20.43 ± 1.57 cm3.
T
he testicle is a symmetrical ovoid organ, slightly flattened transversally, which is situated below the penis and contained in a cutaneous sac (scrotum) suspended at the inferior end of the spermatic cord.
At birth, the testis measures approximately 1.5 cm in length and 1 cm in width. Before the age of age 12 years, testicular volume is about 1–2 cm3. Clinically, a male individual is considered to have reached puberty once the testis achieves a volume of 4 cm3.
The normal adult testis measures approximately 4 x 3 x 3 cm, but varies from 3-5 cm in length, 2-3 cm in width and 2-3 cm in antero-posterior diameter and have volume of 18 - 30 ml, and the weight of the testis varies from 10-14 gm,because seminiferous tubules comprise 70% to 80% of the testicular mass, the testicular volume is believed to reflect spermatogenesis.
Accurate testicular volume measurement is important for assessing testicular function. A relationship has been shown between the testicular volume and the semen profiles in infertile men, and testicular volume measurement has been useful in estimating spermatogenesis.
The process of spermatogenesis is regulated by a complex interplay of endocrine and paracrine signals. The master control hormone is gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), produced by specialized neurons in the hypothalamus. Pulsatile GnRH production signals gonadotroph cells in the anterior pituitary to produce follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) that then act on the testis to regulate spermatogenic potential. LH binds to receptors on the surface of Leydig cells in the testis and stimulates the production of testosterone and FSH binds to receptors on the surface of sertoli cells for production of sperms.
Accurate measurements of testicular volume are critical in evaluation of testicular growth and function in adolescents and adults. Several measurement tools and techniques are used for clinical examination of testicular volume, including orchidometer, caliper, rulers and ultrasonography.
Ultrasound is generally recognized as the most reliable means of measuring in situtesticular volume. Ultrasound is usually used as astandard for the comparison of different measurement techniques. However, some authors have found large variability in US estimates based on the examiner and the formula used. An experimental study determined that the most accurate formula for US estimates was length (L) × width (W) × height (H) × 0.71.
In this study our aim was to evaluatethe testicular volume in some egyptian fertile men by using caliper for one hundred patients then further using ultrasound for fifty of those patient, the mean testicular volume by caliper in all patients was 21.51 ± 1.27cm3, while that of US for 50 patients was 20.43 ± 1.57 cm3.
Other data
| Title | Evaluation of Normal Testicular Volume among Some Egyptian Fertile Men | Other Titles | تقييم حجم الخصية الطبيعيفي بعض المصريين القادرين على الإنجاب | Authors | Ahmed Amin Shaheen Ismail | Issue Date | 2014 |
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