Some may think that the testes serve no purpose and are simply just… there, hanging around. Well, useless they are not! In fact, the good ole’ family jewels are quite important in our biology. And even though they can be a pain to manage, they’re quite efficient in their work. Follow our list of fun facts below to learn a thing or two about their purpose.
1: Automated Cooling
In order for your testes to produce a healthy amount of sperm, they need to be four degrees cooler than your body temperature. And they’re very good at achieving this. Through a muscle that covers your testis, the cremaster muscle (you read that correctly), they can either be pulled closer or lowered away from your body – depending on your temperature.
On top of that, if you’ve ever noticed that one of them hangs lower than the other, don’t panic. There’s a very good reason for it. If a single testicle requires temperature regulation, your body can do so without affecting the temperature of the other. The separation of the two is what allows this process to occur.
2: The Factory that Never Sleeps
Your gonads are one of the hardest working parts of your body. Around the clock, they’ll produce millions of sperm per day. To be even more specific, they produce about 1,500 sperm per second! However, that’s not the final stage. Unknown to most ball-bearers, your sperm actually takes about 74 days to reach full maturity.
Your testicles are also a testosterone factory, which is an important hormone for men. Not only is it needed for sperm production, but it’s also needed for sex drive, muscle mass, growth, and the production of red blood cells.
3: Location, Location, Location…
Ever wonder how your family jewels ended up where they are on your body? Surely, they could’ve fit somewhere else, right? Well, I’m afraid you’ll have to take that one up with the evolution. There are a few theories as to why men have exterior testis, the most plausible one being temperature control. However, certain mammals such as elephants and manatees have testicles located in their abdomens. In fact, this is where our testis was located during fetal development. Why couldn’t they just stay there? Sounds like it could save a lot of space to me!
4: Point of Origin
One of the most fun facts about the testis is how they got their name. The word “testis” is Latin for “witness.” And in the pre-Christian era, about 8th century BC to 5th century AD, men would often place their hands on another man’s balls when swearing an oath. This was the beginning of the word we use to describe the equipment between our legs.
5: Not One, But Two Sacks
Contrary to popular belief, those of us with testis actually have two sacks! Indeed. Both testicles have their own cozy home. And you should be glad. Without this, your balls could potentially become tangled around one another. Sorry for the painful imagery, but it’s true. So next time you refer to your ball sack(s), make sure it’s plural!
Conclusion
So now that you know all of these amazing facts about nuts, you can start to give them the love they deserve. You may even want to start grooming your gear so they are as aesthetically pleasing as they are functional. If so, check out this pubic hair trimmer. Your partner will thank you!