title: Scrotal cooling increases rectal temperature in man.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of scrotal cooling on rectal temperature in man. Pilot studies suggested that immersing the scrotum in a 30 degrees C water bath increased rectal temperature, but immersing the scrotum in a 0 degree C water bath did not. Six healthy young men immersed their scrotums in a 35 degrees C water bath for 11 min followed by 21 min at 30 degrees C. Rectal temperature rose by 0.38 +/- 0.04 degrees C (P < 0.01) in response to the 30 degrees C water bath. Repetition of the study by immersing the hands instead of the scrotum in the water bath had no effect on rectal temperature. The scrotum appears to play a role in human temperature regulation.
authors.affiliation: Century City Hospital, Los Angeles, California 90067, USA.
authors.forename: Peter D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Vash
authors.forename: Thomas M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Engels
authors.forename: Fouad R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Kandeel
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Greenway
mesh_terms: D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012007:Rectum / Q000502:physiology*; D012611:Scrotum / Q000502:physiology*