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.
