Effect of increased scrotal temperature on sperm production in normal men.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether application of polyester-lined athletic supports to bring the testes closer to the abdomen increases scrotal temperature and decreases sperm production.


METHODS
Prospective clinical study.


METHODS
University academic medical center.


METHODS
Twenty-one healthy male volunteers.


METHODS
The study consisted of a pretreatment period of 6 weeks, a treatment phase of 52 weeks, and a recovery phase until return to normal sperm production. During the treatment phase, the men wore polyester-lined athletic supports (single layer, double layer, or double layer impregnated with aluminum) throughout the day.


METHODS
Semen parameters and sperm function tests.


RESULTS
In all three groups of subjects, scrotal temperature was consistently increased by 0.8 to 1 degree C while the subjects were wearing the athletic supports. Mean sperm concentration; sperm motility, morphology, and viability; sperm hyperactivation; and ability of spermatozoa to penetrate zone-free hamster oocytes were not affected by the increase in scrotal temperature.


CONCLUSIONS
The increase in scrotal temperature induced by polyester-lined athletic supports was insufficient to cause significant suppression of spermatogenesis or alteration of sperm function.
Wang
C
C
Department of Medicine, Harbor-University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center, Torrance 90509-2910, USA. WANG@HARBOR6.HUMC.EDU
McDonald
V
V
Leung
A
A
Superlano
L
L
Berman
N
N
Hull
L
L
Swerdloff
R S
RS
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature; D006224:Cricetinae; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012611:Scrotum / Q000502:physiology*; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology