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Testicular atrophy is a medical condition in which the male reproductive organs (the testes, which in humans are located in the scrotum) diminish in size and may be accompanied by loss of function. This does not refer to temporary changes, such as those brought on by cold.

Some medications can cause testicular atrophy. Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids (AAS) can cause testicular atrophy by reducing the amount of luteinizing hormone (LH) produced by the pituitary gland. LH stimulates the testicles to produce testosterone. Testicular atrophy caused by steroid use can be prevented by taking hCG, a drug which mimicks the effect of LH.

Additional causes of testicular atrophy can include atherosclerosis, Klinefelter syndrome, cryptorchidism, varicocele, insufficient luteinizing hormone production most frequently seen in the hypothyroid state, liver disease, and vascular injury during inguinal hernia surgery.

Long term exposure to boric acid may be of more concern. Although it does not appear to be carcinogenic, studies in dogs have attributed testicular atrophy after exposure to 32 mg/kg bw/day for 90 days. This level is far lower than the LD50 of boric acid at 5.14 g/kg for oral dosages given to rats, and 5 to 20 g/kg has produced death in adult humans.

[edit] See also

• Atrophy
• Orchitis

[edit] References

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