Development disorders during adolescence: Orchidometer allows early diagnoses

Puberty signifies the corporal development of a child growing into an adult. A late or abnormal development can be an important clue to an endogrinologic genectic disease. Effects of these diseases are not only the abscence of sexual maturity, but also osteoporosis of the bones, a reduced growth as well as the patient can suffer under psychological strain because of the undersized primary and secondary sexual organs. The chance of success of a therapy is higher if these diseases can be identified in an early stage.

For boys the development of the testicles is one of the first and most important symptoms of puberty, starting from the age of 9. The testicle volume indicates if the growth develops normally. An important tool for determining the size of testes is the orchidometer. It represents prebubertal testicules (1–3 ml), pubertal sizes (4-12 ml) and adult sizes (12–25 ml) on a cord, which can be compared with the patient. The orchidometer was designed by the Swiss endocrinologist Andrea Prader who presented it for the first time in the year 1966.

Small testicles can indicate hypogonadism : The symptoms are the abscence of the hormone testosterone and degeneration of the primary and secondary sexual organs. The dysfunction can be found in the brain centers, that is the hypophysis or the hypothalamus. Several cases have been reported in connection with x-ray therapy and chemotherapy of cancer patients. In the worst case the fertility is so limited, that the patient becomes completely infertile.

On the other side, an increased volume of the testicles can be a clue to the fragile X syndrome. The fragile X syndrome is a genetic mutation which can cause a slightly reduced learning ability as well as a strong mental retardation. A cure is impossible, however the patient can get help in behaviour, ergo- and music therapies.

The simple to use orchidometer can help to diagnose severe dysfunctions in an early stage, without costly and complex laboratory tests. Therefore it is an invaluable instrument for every endocrinologists and general practitioner.

More information about the orchidometer is available on the website www.erler-zimmer.de

Erler-Zimmer GmbH & Co. KG; founded in 1949, run as a third generation, family owned enterprise. CEO Walter and Ute Probst. The company is specialized in anatomy, medical simulators and charts and has its own production site in Germany as well as highly reputed partners in Europe, USA and Asia.

PR contact:
Noreen Huber, Tel. 07841/6003-17

Erler-Zimmer GmbH&Co.KG
Hauptstraße 27
77886 Lauf
Tel.: +49 7841/60030
Fax: +49 7841/600320
E-mail: info@erler-zimmer.de
www.erler-zimmer.de

This release was published on openPR.