Infertility can happen if the testes are not in proper position.
In female, the ovaries, which produce the eggs are there inside the abdomen. But why the testes, which produce the sperms are hanging outside the body in the sac, called scrotum?
The reason is sperm production needs temperature at least 3 degree less from body temperature. To keep the temperature of the testes lower, they remain inside the scrotum, outside the body. Probably you might have noticed, in winter, testes remain close to the body (in the upper part of the scrotum), whereas in summer, they remain hanging in the lower part of the scrotum.
But the testes actually develop inside the abdomen in feral life. Later they descend into the scrotum. In a full term, newborn boy, both the testes should remain inside the scrotum.
But sometimes, one or both testes fail to come down completely inside the scrotum. This is called "UNDESCENDED TESTES". The exact reason is not known. It may be related to hormonal problem, sometimes chromosomal disorders or environmental causes.
As said earlier, sperm production needs lower temperature. So, if the testis lies inside the abdomen for long time, it cannot produce sperms. If one testis is undescended and the other is inside the scrotum and functions properly, usually the man can have adequate sperms. However, if both the testes are undescended, no sperms are produced and the man is infertile, unfortunately.
If at birth one or both testes are not found inside the scrotum, ultrasound examination is done to see where they are actually located. Then the following steps can be taken in an attempt to improve the future fertility.
1. If the baby boy is born prematurely, few weeks wait is reasonable, because the testes can come down.
2. If detected soon after birth, sometimes hCG injection can be used to promote coming down of the testes. However, it's role is limited and controversial.
3. In most cases, the undescended testis can be brought down into the scrotum by an operation, called "Orchidopexy". However, this operation must be done in infancy, to achieve the best possible function of the testis. Otherwise, orchidopexy is not helpful in improving the fertility.
What can be done if it's detected at late stage or in adult age?
The undescended testis will be nonfunctional. It can sometimes undergo malignant changes. So, one option is orchidectomy, that means removal of the affected testis, to reduce the risk of cancer. However, it may not be acceptable to many persons. In that case, the other option is doing orchidopexy, although it cannot improve fertility at this age. But after orchidopexy, the examination of testis becomes easier, so that the early diagnosis if cancer if the testis is possible. Moreover, the man feels psychologically better and there is better feeling of own body image.
The above picture has been uploaded with the PERMISSION from the patient. Both the testes are undescended.
So, it's important for the parents to look for any abnormalities in the genitalia of the babies. Also, the adults should not ignore, if they feel some abnormalities in their private organs.