Testicles are one of the most necessary and sensitive parts of the male body and yet, considering how important they are, extremely vulnerable to injury. Ask any man what a blow to the testicles feels like and the look on his face says it all. Visit a zoo or farm and you are apt to see lots of testicles hanging out, waving in the breeze as if they haven’t got a care in the world, completely unprotected by bone and muscle as are other valuable parts of the body. Most species would die out without them, so why would nature expose these vital organs to any danger that comes along? The answer lies in one of their most important functions.
What Exactly are Testicles?
Testicles are two small organs located in the scrotum, the sac that hangs behind the penis. They create and store sperm, and, are the body's primary source of male hormones that control the growth of the reproductive organs, and other male traits such as body and facial hair, low voice, and bone and muscle growth.
Why Are Testicles Not Protected?
On average, human body temperature is 98.6 degrees F. In order for sperm to mature they must be maintained at a temperature that is a couple of degrees cooler than body temperature. The scrotum is like a little biological holding tank for sperm. It keeps the testicles away from the body and acts as an air-conditioning unit using the cremaster (kri-MAS-ter) muscle to loosen or tighten the scrotum, keeping the testicles at a temperature that allows the sperm to remain viable. The principle of keeping sperm cooler than body temperature applies to most species whose males have testicles that hang away from the body.
Some Interesting Facts
A high fever will reduce or eliminate a man’s sperm count for approximately 50 days.
A half hour in a 180 degree F sauna will temporarily reduce sperm counts to unproductive levels.
An athletic support won’t cause sterility as it is usually not worn long enough to have any effect.
What’s a Guy to Do?
Let’s face it. Testicles aren’t there to be decoration for Mr. Happy, although scientists that study evolution have tossed that idea around as part of trying to figure out why they look the way they do. Their very important functions of insuring the continuation of the species, and providing such masculine features as bigger muscles, more facial hair and a deeper voice than a female can’t be taken lightly. Protect them from harm and they will continue to serve you well. If you are concerned about your sperm count, wear clothing that keeps your testicles away from your body. If you and your partner are trying to get pregnant you only have a narrow window of time each month that she is fertile so stay away from saunas and hot baths. See your health-care practitioner if you find any suspicious lumps or have symptoms such as pain in the groin area. And be vigilant. There are lots of ways to protect the boys from harm. Wear an athletic cup during sports activities. Be careful when you let someone play with them. Rough handling can injure blood vessels and various tubes and ligaments. You probably already have the lightning reflexes needed to shoot your hands down their when danger threatens. Keep practising. You never know when a wayward kick or out-of-control baseball is going to come your way.