Week 2 Flashcards
What are the layers of the covering of the testes?
Skin Dartos External spermatic fascia Cremaster Internal spermatic fascia Tunica vaginalis (parietal and visceral)
How would you distinguish between a hernia and hydrocele in the testes?
Pass a light through; fluid will trans-illuminate
At what time point does the gubernaculum begin to enlarge and pull the testes down?
Weeks 28-35
Which hormones control testicular descent?
INSL-3, anti-Mullerian hormone and testosterone
What are the 4 walls of the inguinal canal?
MALT
M - superior 2 muscles; internal oblique and transverse abdominus
A - anterior 2 aponeuroses; external and internal oblique
L - inferior 2 ligaments; inguinal and lacunar
T - posterior 2 T’s; transverse fascia and conjoint tendon
What is the cause and consequence of testicular dysgenesis syndrome?
Impaired foetal testes development → decreased Leydig and Sertoli function → hypospadias/cryptochidism and infertility/testicular cancer respectively
What is cryptorchidism?
Impalpable or undescended testes which are usually smaller if present, can be bilateral or unilateral and has an uncertain aetiology
What are the classifications of cryptorchidism?
Abdominal (impalpable)
Inguinal (palpable)
Pre-scrotal
Retractile (sit in scrotum but retract over time)
At what age would undescended testes be concerning?
6 months - refer for orchidopexy (up to 18 months)
What are the major risk factors for cryptorchidism?
Low birthweight (<2.5kg) Small for gestational age Premature Maternal/gestational diabetes Environmental (phthalates, smoking)
How can cryptorchidism affect sperm quality?
No sperm production in bilateral (normal in 30% after surgery)
50% normal sperm in unilateral (70% after surgery)
What percentage of testicular cancer arises from cryptorchidism?
5%
Higher risk in bilateral and abdominal
What investigations can be carried out for cryptorchidism?
Ultrasound, CT/MRI, laparoscopy, karyotyping (genetic sex disorders), biochemical (testosterone)
What are the possible complications of surgical treatment of cryptorchidism?
Testicular shrinkage, high recurrence, haematoma, pain
What hormonal treatment is available for cryptorchidism?
hCG stimulation - mimic LH to cause testosterone surge (20% effective, high recurrence)
LHRH test - puberty
Complications - pain, behavioural problems, inflammation, shrinkage
What is hypospadias?
Common congenital abnormality of the penis in which the urethral opening is not in its normal position at the head of the penis but somewhere along the ventral aspect
What are the classifications of hypospadias?
Glanular, coronal, mid-shaft, penoscrotal, scrotal, perineal
What problems/features are associated with hypospadias?
Chordee (bend in penis), hooded foreskin, cryptorchidism, inguinal hernia, urethral strictures, problems urinating
What causes hypospadias?
Unclear
Hormonal fluctuations of testosterone and progesterone, advanced maternal age, IVF pregnancies, endocrine disruptors, reduced androgen sensitivity, genetics
How is hypospadias treated?
Surgically
Very complex, multiple procedures, foreskin used to repair, hormonal treatment given prior
Complications - scarring, curvature, strictures, fistula
Describe how congenital adrenal hyperplasia causes masculinisation of females
Lack of 21-α-hydroxylase → aldosterone/cortisol etc cannot be produced → overproduction of
testosterone in utero → masculinisation of female
What does the enzyme 5-α-reductase do?
Converts testosterone to DHT
What is DHT important for?
External masculinisation
How might disorders of sex development appear in the newborn?
Apparent female - enlarged clitoris, posterior labial fusion, inguinal mass
Apparent male - cryptorchidism, micropenis, hypospadias
Discordance between genital appearance and prenatal karyotype
How are disorders of sex development managed?
All newborns receive gender assignment within 21 days
Multidisciplinary team involved in decision making
Surgical management, sex steroid replacement and psychosocial management options
What lifestyle factors are important in fertility?
Smoking, alcohol, recreational drugs, STIs, radiation, toxins, tight clothing
What drugs can have an adverse effect on male fertility?
Alcohol, antipsychotics, arsenic, aspirin, caffeine, calcium channel blockers, pesticides, lead, antidepressants
What investigations are carried out in primary care for fertility?
Rubella status, STI screen, BMI, cervical smear
What is the WHO classification of anovulation?
Group 1 - HP failure (10%)
Group 2 - HPO dysfunction (85%)
Group 3 - ovarian failure (5%)
How can HP failure, HPO dysfunction and ovarian failure be treated?
HP - lifestyle, GnRH, gonadotrophins
HPO - metformin, gonadotrophins
Ovarian - oocyte donation
What should the pH of semen be?
7.2
What is a normal sperm concentration and count?
15 million per ml
39 million per ejaculate
What features of sperm are considered in fertility?
Motility, viability and morphology
What is HyCoSy?
Hysterosalpingo-contrast-sonography
Simple and well-tolerated outpatient ultrasound procedure used to assess the patency of the fallopian tubes and detect abnormalities of the uterus and endometrium