Question

A teenage boy is involved in athletics in such a way that he has to perform severe physical exercise every day. This exerts a lot of pressure in the abdominal area and also exposes the testes to elevated temperatures because of the heat released due to physical exercise. Which of the following is not likely to be a result of these conditions?

• A. Infertility
• B. Inguinal hernia
• C. Loss of secondary sexual characteristics
• D. Azoospermia

Answer 1

The correct option is C Loss of secondary sexual characteristics

The gametes and sex hormones produced by different cells present in the testes. Exposure to heat affects the gamete producing cells of the testes due to which gamete production and viability is affected. This can cause infertility if it persists for a long period of time. Azoospermia is the clinical condition where the semen lacks any sperm.
Exposure to heat doesn’t affect the hormone-producing cells of the testes, hence the production of sex hormones remains normal.
Sex hormones are responsible for the maintenance of secondary sexual characteristics. Hence they are not affected.

Once the testes have migrated into the scrotum, they can’t go back into the abdomen because the inguinal canal gets sealed due to the formation of connective tissues. Due to improper closure of the inguinal canal, a loop of the intestine can enter the inguinal region. This causes an inguinal hernia. This is caused by strenuous activity, an increase in pressure within the abdomen, a preexisting weak spot in the abdominal wall, straining during bowel movements or urination, chronic coughing and sneezing, etc.