Superficial Femoral Artery

The superficial femoral artery is the femoral artery proper after it has given off its largest branch, which is the profunda femoris artery (deep femoral). Some authors calls it the “superficial femoral” to differentiate it from its deep branch. However, most anatomy authors consider it is the same arterial vessel that emerges right beyond the inguinal ligament (the anatomical limit between the external iliac and the femoral artery).

Once it has given off the deep femoral (also known as profunda femoris), the femoral proper travels down parallel to the femur, supplying the large muscles of thigh. The superficial femoral artery extends down, swinging backwards behind the knee-joint region where it is called the popliteal artery, which lies in the popliteal region. This happens as it comes out of the opening of adductor magnus, or Hunter’s canal, towards the end of the femur.

Below, schematic drawing of the arteries of lower limb, showing the the femoral trunk and the deep and the superficial femoral artery.

 

Causes of Low Fertility in Males

The causes of low fertility in males are manifold. But before spelling out its main causes in modern times, it must be said that fertility has two biological components: a normal sperm count, between 15 and 16 million sperm cells per milliliter, and the right testosterone levels in the bloodstream, which lie between 400 and 700 ng/dL (where 'ng' stands for nanogram, and 'dL' for deciliter). With 23 chromosomes, a sperm cell impregnates an ovum; while testosterone gives you libido (sex drive), which is key in male erection and sperm production.

The main causes of low fertility in males are:

1) Alcohol consumption- The major metabolic byproduct of ethanol is acetaldehyde, which is extremely toxic and deleterious, damaging both Golgi apparatus and mitochondria of your body cells. Once in the bloodstream, acetaldehyde spread throughout your body tissues, activating aromatase, which is an enzyme that transform male hormone testosterone into the female one estrogen. This is the reason that alcoholic men have low testosterone levels in their bloodstream, usually lower than 300 ng/dL.

2) Constant high adrenaline (epinephrine) levels- This hormone is triggered into your bloodstream by stress (fear, sadness, anguish, anxiety, rage). When this happens, your testosterone levels drop sharply and your libido (the sex gunpowder) go away, and you do not feel like it and you would rather be left alone or need spiritual comfort.

3) A sedentary lifestyle- Since testosterone secretion is stimulated by skeletal muscle contraction, when you are physically idle, sitting at your desk all day long, chances are that your testosterone levels will be abnormally low. The larger the muscle volume that contracts during physical exertion, the more testosterone will be discharged into your bloodstream; hence the importance of working out. Also, two of the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle are excess adrenaline and high sugar levels.

4) Diabetes- Both high glucose (sugar) and insulin levels are inflammatory to your body tissues, which include the artery endothelial layer (tunica intima), the seminiferous tubules, where sperm is produced, and the Leydig cells, which secrete testosterone.

5) Abnormal high temperatures- Both sperm cell production and testosterone secretion take place in the testes. The Leydig and the Sertoli cells function normally only at 34 and 34.4 degrees Celcius, which is slightly more than two degrees lower than the rest of your body temperature (36.5 degrees). This is the reason why the testes hang down out of the body. But if you wear tight and uncomfortable underwears, the testes temperatures might rise, which is not good. Also, if you work with fire, or stand near a fireplace everyday for many hours, you will become infertile.

6) Environmental chemicals- Tobacco nicotine and tar, gasoline lead, fluorinated compounds from pesticides, arsenic in water, among others, can also lead to low fertility rates in males.

7) Malnutrition- When you do not eat well in quantity and quality, you will end up being an anemic, protein-deficient, and immunodeficient man. Meat (especially beef), egg, and saturated fat are essentials for testosterone production. When you suffer from malnutrition, each one of your body system might get disrupted, including your endocrine system.

By Carlos B. Camacho

Internal Spermatic Artery

Also known as the testicular a., the internal spermatic artery is a paired, oxygen-rich blood vessel that supplies the testicles, the ureter, and the renal fat. Each one of them originates straight from the anterior wall of the abdominal aorta, right below the point of origin of the renal artery. In few cases both testicular arteries arise from a common  trunk. In women, it is called the ovarian artery, which supplies the ovaries.

As it runs down and laterally, the internal spermatic artery travels over the psoas major muscle, crossing the ureter and the external iliac artery. Having passed the inguinal canal, it runs into the scrotum, where it divides into several smaller arteries that supply the parenchyma of the testis and the epididymis, which is a convoluted duct lying on the posterior aspect of the testis. Along its long course, the testicular artery sends small branches to the renal fat and the ureter (ureteric branches).

Below, diagram of the abdominal aorta, showing the testicular and the inferior mesenteric artery. As it travels down laterally, the testicular artery pierces the mesentery (sheet of connective tissue). Then it extends down behind it out of sight.

Ovarian Artery

The ovarian artery is a blood vessel which supplies oxygen-rich blood to the ovaries, Fallopian tube, and ureter. It corresponds to the male internal spermatic artery.

The ovarian is a paired artery which originates from each side of the abdominal aorta, at a point below the renal artery. Then it runs down, passing between the layers of the broad ligament of the uterus, along its free border, giving off several branches to supply the ovary.

At the end of its course, the ovarian artery switches direction, turning down as it sends small arterial offshoots that supply the upper portion of the uterus. Its terminal branch anastomoses with the ovarian branch of the uterine artery.

Below, schematic image of the uterine and ovarian artery, supplying the female genital organs.

 

Uterine Artery

The uterine artery is a blood vessel that supplies the uterus (womb) with oxygenated blood. It originates from the the anterior division of the internal iliac artery. In males, it corresponds to the artery of the vas deferens, which supplies the duct deferens; the secretory duct of the testicles, running from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct.

Once it has arisen, the uterine artery extends forwards under the peritoneum and, medially, in the root of the broad ligament, to the lateral wall of the uterus at the level of the cervix (neck) where it forks into several smaller arteries.

Branches

As it approaches the wall of uterus, the uterine artery divides into the descending vaginal branch and the ascending uterine artery. The descending vaginal branch runs obliquely down onto the anterolateral wall of the  vagina, giving off secondary branches to supply it, anastomosing with the contralateral branches. Meanwhile, the ascending uterine runs up on the lateral wall of the uterus to its angle, supplying all three layers of this femenine organ (perimetrium, myometrium, and endometrium). It anastomoses with the ovarian artery as it sends secondary branches to supply the uterine tube.

Below, the uterine artery arising from the anterior branch of the internal iliac artery. You can see its different branches supplying the uterus and the first portion of vagina. Vaginal arteries originate straight from the anterior division of the internal iliac.