The reproductive gland produces sperm and eggs, in addition to female and male hormones. To learn about them, follow the following article.
The gonad is an important part of the reproductive system, and its nature differs between male and female. The gonad is also one of the endocrine glands. Let us get to know it closely as follows:
What is the gonad?
The reproductive gland includes the testicles in the male and the ovaries in the female, as follows:
1. The testicles in males
The testicles are located behind the penis in a sac called the scrotum. The testicles secrete male hormones called androgens.
Testosterone is the main male hormone secreted by the testicles. The secretion of this hormone begins during the development of the fetus and continues for a short period after birth. The secretion of the hormone stops completely during childhood and then returns again once puberty has reached.
The testosterone hormone performs several functions, which include the following
Increased growth of bone and muscle mass.
Laryngeal enlargement accompanied by a hoarse voice in males.
Increased hair growth.
Increased sexual desire in males.
2. The female ovary
There are a pair of ovaries, or egg sacs, in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus, about the size and shape of an almond.
Two types of hormones are secreted in the female ovaries, and they begin to be secreted after puberty, as these hormones work on the development of female organs and sexual characteristics.
These hormones include the following
Estrogen: The secretion of this hormone leads to the following
Breast growth and increase in size.
Fat is distributed in the hip, leg and breast area.
Complete development of the genitals, such as the uterus and vagina.
Progesterone: The secretion of the hormone progesterone increases the thickness of the uterine lining in preparation for pregnancy.
The changes that occur during the female menstrual cycle are due to the action of these two hormones together.
Diseases that may affect the reproductive gland
The reproductive gland may suffer from many diseases that may affect its function, including the following:
1. Hypogonadism
This problem occurs when the reproductive gland produces less hormones than the normal level and may not be produced at all, and it may be caused by the following reasons:
Primary hypogonadism
It occurs due to a problem in the ovaries or testicles so that they do not produce the hormone in the appropriate amount, and the reasons for the occurrence of this type of disease include the following:
Genetic factor.
Diseases of the liver and kidneys.
Exposure to radiation or surgery.
Turner syndrome in women.
Klinefelter''s syndrome in men.
Central hypogonadism
In this case, a defect occurs in the control centers of the gonads in the brain, as they lose the ability to control the amounts of hormones secreted from the gonads. This disease may occur due to the following:
Bleeding in the pituitary gland.
Genetic problems.
Iron overload, as in hemochromatosis.
Oncology.
Hereditary disease called Kallmann syndrome.
Menopause.
2. Gonadal cancer
Cancer occurs when there is a defect in the genetic material, which leads to abnormal growth of cancerous cells, which is offset by the death of normal cells.
Genital cancer may occur in both men and women. Women develop ovarian cancer and men develop testicular cancer. We will mention the most important things about them as follows:
ovarian cancer
This type of cancer is often not discovered until it has spread to the pelvis and abdomen, and treatment is much more difficult if it is discovered early, and chemotherapy and surgery are used like other types of cancer.
Ovarian cancer does not cause any symptoms in the early stages, even when the disease develops, some mixed symptoms may appear between cancer and a benign tumor, and these symptoms include the following:
Abdominal bloating and swelling.
Weight loss.
A change in bowel habits, such as: constipation.
Testicular cancer
Compared to other types of cancer, this type is rare, and testicular cancer is curable even in advanced cases in which the tumor has spread and treatment is given depending on the type and progression of the condition, and some symptoms appear on the affected person, such as:
Enlargement of the testicles or one of them.
A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum.
Great pain in the abdomen.
3. Polycystic ovaries in women
Liquid-filled cysts are produced on one or both ovaries, and these cysts give a feeling of discomfort, but they are harmless and disappear after a period of their formation automatically.
These cysts can cause flatulence and pelvic pain.
4. Epididymitis in men
The epididymis is the coiled tube behind the testicle that stores sperm.
Epididymitis can occur in males at different ages, and this inflammation is often caused by a sexually transmitted infection, such as: gonorrhea, in some cases the infection is transmitted to the testicle as well, which leads to epididymitis and testicles.
Many symptoms appear in the patient, including the following
Pain in the testicles.
blood in semen
Feeling pain when urinating.
