Fusional anomalies of the testis and epididymis. 1998

M Merksz
Department of Urological Surgery, Heim Pál Children's Hospital, Budapest, Hungary.

Earlier, the cause of infertility in undescended testis (UT) had been widely accepted as a consequence of the higher temperature of the inguinal/abdominal region. Observations made in the past two decades, however, gave new evidences. The most important of these is that UT is often associated with the fusional anomalies (FA) of the testis and epididymis. FA is the consequence of pathological intrauterine hormonal processes and many authors believe FA to be the primary cause for infertility in UT. Since 80% of UT cases are of endocrine origin, it would be suspected that the very same factors are responsible for both UT and FA. FA and other anomalies of the epididymis often occur in testicular torsion (TT) as well. It is remarkable that infertility could follow the unilateral forms of UT and TT despite the presence of a "healthy" contralateral gonad. In both entities contralateral FA (probably associated with testicular dysgenesis) is suspected. These observations could influence the primary surgical treatment of patients with UT and TT, as well as the mode of further management of these cases.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007248 Infertility, Male The inability of the male to effect FERTILIZATION of an OVUM after a specified period of unprotected intercourse. Male sterility is permanent infertility. Sterility, Male,Sub-Fertility, Male,Subfertility, Male,Male Infertility,Male Sterility,Male Sub-Fertility,Male Subfertility,Sub Fertility, Male
D008297 Male Males
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D003456 Cryptorchidism A developmental defect in which a TESTIS or both TESTES failed to descend from high in the ABDOMEN to the bottom of the SCROTUM. Testicular descent is essential to normal SPERMATOGENESIS which requires temperature lower than the BODY TEMPERATURE. Cryptorchidism can be subclassified by the location of the maldescended testis. Testis, Undescended,Abdominal Cryptorchidism,Bilateral Cryptorchidism,Cryptorchidism, Unilateral Or Bilateral,Cryptorchism,Inguinal Cryptorchidism,Testes, Undescended,Undescended Testis,Unilateral Cryptorchidism,Cryptorchidism, Abdominal,Cryptorchidism, Bilateral,Cryptorchidism, Inguinal,Cryptorchidism, Unilateral,Undescended Testes
D004822 Epididymis The convoluted cordlike structure attached to the posterior of the TESTIS. Epididymis consists of the head (caput), the body (corpus), and the tail (cauda). A network of ducts leaving the testis joins into a common epididymal tubule proper which provides the transport, storage, and maturation of SPERMATOZOA.
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013086 Spermatic Cord Torsion The twisting of the SPERMATIC CORD due to an anatomical abnormality that left the TESTIS mobile and dangling in the SCROTUM. The initial effect of testicular torsion is obstruction of venous return. Depending on the duration and degree of cord rotation, testicular symptoms range from EDEMA to interrupted arterial flow and testicular pain. If blood flow to testis is absent for 4 to 6 h, SPERMATOGENESIS may be permanently lost. Testicular Torsion,Torsion Of Testicular Cord,Spermatic Cord Torsions,Testicular Torsions,Torsion, Spermatic Cord,Torsion, Testicular,Torsions, Spermatic Cord,Torsions, Testicular
D013737 Testis The male gonad containing two functional parts: the SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES for the production and transport of male germ cells (SPERMATOGENESIS) and the interstitial compartment containing LEYDIG CELLS that produce ANDROGENS. Testicles,Testes,Testicle

Related Publications

M Merksz
February 1978, The Urologic clinics of North America,
M Merksz
January 1975, Scandinavian journal of urology and nephrology,
M Merksz
February 2005, AJR. American journal of roentgenology,
M Merksz
March 2008, The Journal of urology,
M Merksz
January 1994, Andrologia,
M Merksz
March 1974, Journal of reproduction and fertility,
M Merksz
October 1948, Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England,
M Merksz
January 2012, Central European journal of urology,
Copied contents to your clipboard!