Male Sex Glands and Impotence

THE MALE SEX GLANDS

The two testes, which lie enclosed in the scrotal sac of skin just below the penis, secrete semen containing the male reproductive element, the sperm. They also produce the important male sex hormone, testosterone. One of the first known hormones, testosterone's activity was deduced from the events that followed removal of the testes.

 It has been known for centuries that if the testes of a boy are removed or destroyed before puberty, he does not develop typical masculine characteristics. Instead, his personality is gentle, his voice high-pitched, his chest narrow and flat, hismuscles underdeveloped. He lacks facial hair and pubic hair, his penis is small and underdeveloped, and he is impotent. In addition to affecting male sex organs and secondary sexual characteristics, testosterone stimulates muscular and bone development and helps maintain muscle strength. 

If testosterone is injected into a female animal, certain masculine characteristics develop and female hormonal function is inhibited as long as the testosterone injections continue. If testosterone is injected into a eunuch or a man with underactive secretion, the size of the sexual organ increases, secondary sexual characteristics develop, and there is an in- crease in sexual desire and potency.

The effect is transitory. 

People who benefit from testosterone require treatment for their entire lives. It is important to note here that while testosterone administration may be helpful in cases of hormone deficiency; injections of the hormone are ineffective for "rejuvenation" and may in fact be dangerous, sometimes leading to tumor or cancer of the prostate. 

The aging process is not con- fined to sexual function and cannot be halted by a single hormone or any combination of hormones yet discovered. Actually, many men can reproduce at age 70 and beyond. The feeling of decline experienced by some men is more likely to be due to factors other than sex gland inadequacy-either other physical problems or psychological difficulties. A thorough medicalcheckup is advisable rather than costly and potentially dangerous testosterone injections.