What is cryptorchidism?

What is cryptorchidism?

• A. Process by which sperm are produced by the male.
• B. Sterile female calf born twin to a male calf.
• C. Condition in which one or both testicles remain in the body cavity.
• D. Causes destruction of the cotyledons of the uterus.

Answer: (C)

Cryptorchidism is the condition in which one or both testicles remain in the body cavity instead of descending into the scrotum during development. Normally the testes migrate from the abdomen to the scrotum before or shortly after birth; when this descent fails, the undescended testis stays higher up, often in the abdomen or inguinal canal. This affects fertility because the internal body temperature is too warm for normal sperm production, so sperm development is often impaired. The retained testis can still produce testosterone, so some male characteristics may be present, but the risk of testicular torsion or cancer increases, making surgical removal or correction a common treatment. The other descriptions refer to different reproductive conditions: the production of sperm is spermatogenesis; a sterile female calf born twin to a male is a freemartin; destruction of cotyledons of the uterus relates to placental/uterine pathology rather than testicular descent.

Cryptorchidism is the condition in which one or both testicles remain in the body cavity instead of descending into the scrotum during development. Normally the testes migrate from the abdomen to the scrotum before or shortly after birth; when this descent fails, the undescended testis stays higher up, often in the abdomen or inguinal canal. This affects fertility because the internal body temperature is too warm for normal sperm production, so sperm development is often impaired. The retained testis can still produce testosterone, so some male characteristics may be present, but the risk of testicular torsion or cancer increases, making surgical removal or correction a common treatment. The other descriptions refer to different reproductive conditions: the production of sperm is spermatogenesis; a sterile female calf born twin to a male is a freemartin; destruction of cotyledons of the uterus relates to placental/uterine pathology rather than testicular descent.