Intrauterine development, functions and diseases of male reproductive organs

Abstract

This article discusses the role of the central nervous system and testosterone hormone and its derivatives in the intrauterine development of male reproductive organs. The characteristics that define male personality first emerge in fetal stage of human development. Thereafter they continue to evolve during childhood. They become increasingly apparent after puberty and then remain prevalent throughout the individual's life time. The cited process affects both male phenotype and masculine behavior. Testosterone and its derivatives control the development of male reproductive organs. Their absence leads to predominance of female sexual characteristics even in the presence of a male chromosome pattern. The clinical entity of testicular feminization is a typical example for this phenomenon. The presented study pays special attention to those abnormalities of male reproductive organs that are identifiable by ultrasound during the fetal period. Most of these anomalies cannot be treated effectively before birth. Those conditions that are also incurable in extra uterine life, may serve as indication for pregnancy termination if they can be detected by ultrasound examination in early gestation.