[Campbell Biology P.1074] A male infant is diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition where o... | Practice Question

A male infant is diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition where one or both testes fail to descend into the scrotum. Based on the information provided, what is the most likely consequence if this condition is left untreated into adulthood?

  • A: Increased production of testosterone due to the higher abdominal temperature.
  • B: Impaired sperm production and potential infertility because the abdominal temperature is too high for proper spermatogenesis.
  • C: Enhanced sperm motility due to the protected environment within the abdominal cavity.
  • D: Development of secondary sexual characteristics at an accelerated rate.

Explanation

The text explicitly states that 'Most mammals produce sperm properly only when the testes are cooler than the rest of the body. In humans and many other mammals, testis temperature is maintained about 2°C below the core body temperature by the scrotum'. If the testes remain in the warmer abdominal cavity, proper spermatogenesis sperm production cannot occur, leading to impaired sperm production and potential infertility.