title: Mild induced testicular and epididymal hyperthermia alters sperm chromatin integrity in men.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of a mild induced testicular and epididymal hyperthermia (+2°C) on sperm chromatin integrity in men.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five healthy fertile volunteers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Testicular and epididymal hyperthermia was induced by maintaining the testes at inguinal position with the support of specially designed underwear 15 ± 1 hours daily for 120 consecutive days.
  
  
  METHODS
  Classic semen characteristics. Sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and high DNA stainability (HDS) were analyzed by sperm chromatin structure assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with baseline values, sperm DFI and HDS were significantly increased as early as day (D) 20 and D34, respectively, and remained elevated during the entire period of hyperthermia. Percentages of motile and viable spermatozoa decreased as early as D20 and D34, respectively, and total sperm count decreased at D34 during hyperthermia and remained low during the entire hyperthermia period. All studied parameters returned to respective baseline values at D73 after cessation of hyperthermia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mild induced testicular and epididymal hyperthermia largely impaired sperm chromatin integrity, which appeared before any changes in sperm output. These findings may have clinical implications in male contraception, infertility, and assisted reproductive technology.
authors.affiliation: Université de Toulouse, University Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Gulfam
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Moinard
authors.forename: Camille
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Esquerré-Lamare
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mieusset
authors.forename: Louis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bujan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002470:Cell Survival; D002843:Chromatin / Q000473:pathology*; D042002:Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D004822:Epididymis / Q000473:pathology*; D005298:Fertility / Q000235:genetics; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005602:France; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced; D008297:Male; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000473:pathology*; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin