Testicular Atrophy

Testicular atrophy is a condition where the testicles shrink to a below-average size. Testicular cell tissues, germ cells and Leydig cells are negatively impacted from atrophy.

Reasons

• Injury or infections, such as the mumps, in the testicular area may cause atrophy. A common cause of atrophy is usually anabolic steroids, which cause the pituitary gland to stop production of germ and Leydig cells.

Consequences

• Germ cell production results in the sperm creation. Leydig cells regulate testosterone levels in a male. When atrophy occurs, sperm and testosterone production is severely reduced.

Treatments

• If the atrophy comes from injury or infection, a physician may treat the atrophy with medications or surgery. If steroids are the cause, ceasing steroid intake immediately eventually will allow the pituitary gland to allow germ and Leydig cell production to restart.