Influence of genital heat stress on semen quality in humans

Andrologia

Volumn 39, Issue 6, 2007, Pages 203-215

  Jung, A ^a,b   Schuppe, H C ^a  

^a JUSTUS LIEBIG UNIVERSITY   (Germany)

^b Zentrum Dermatologie Andrologie   (Germany)

Author keywords

Genital heat stress; Scrotal temperature; Semen quality; Testicular temperature

Indexed keywords

CAR DRIVING; CLOTHING; CONTRACEPTION; CORRELATION ANALYSIS; DOWN REGULATION; EXPOSURE; GENITAL SYSTEM; HEAT STRESS; HUMAN; LIFESTYLE; MALE FERTILITY; OCCUPATIONAL HAZARD; OLIGOSPERMIA; REVIEW; SAUNA; SCROTUM; SEMEN ANALYSIS; SITTING; SPERMATOGENESIS; TEMPERATURE; TESTIS; WALKING; HEAT; MALE; MALE GENITAL SYSTEM; MALE INFERTILITY; PATHOPHYSIOLOGY; PHYSIOLOGY; SPERM; STRESS;

GENITALIA, MALE; HEAT; HUMANS; INFERTILITY, MALE; MALE; SCROTUM; SEMEN; SPERMATOGENESIS; STRESS; TESTIS;

EID: 38449103323     PISSN: 03034569     EISSN: 14390272     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0272.2007.00794.x     Document Type: Review

References (96)

1. Almont T, Huyghe E, Plante P, Thonneau P, Bujan L, Mieusset R (2006) Varicocelectomy and scrotal temperatures in infertile men with varicocele. Andrologie 16 : 323 324.
2. Banks S, King SA, Irvine S, Saunders TK (2005) Impact of a mild scrotal heat stress on DNA integrity in murine spermatozoa. Reproduction 129 : 505 514.
3. Bengoudifa B, Mieusset R (2006) Modelling of the upper range of scrotal temperature in a driving situation. Andrologie 16 : 335.
4. Bergmann M (1978) Wärmewirkung und Spermiogenese bei Säugern. Zulassungsarbeit zur Ersten Prüfung für das Lehramt an Gymnasien, Münster.
5. Bigelow PL, Jarrell J, Young MR, Keefe TJ, Love EJ (1998) Association of semen quality and occupational factors: comparison of case-control analysis and analysis of continuous variables. Fertil Steril 69 : 11 18.
6. Bonde JP (1992) Semen quality in welders exposed to radiant heat. Br J Ind Med 49 : 5 10.
7. Brindley GS (1982) Deep scrotal temperature and the effect on it of clothing, air temperature, activity, posture and paraplegia. Br J Urol 54 : 49 55.
8. Brown-Woodman PDC, Post EJ, Gass GC, White IG (1984) The effect of a single sauna exposure on spermatozoa. Arch Androl 12 : 9 15.
9. Buiatti E, Barchielli A, Geddes M, Nastasi L, Kriebel D, Franchini M, Scarselli G (1984) Risk factors in male infertility: a case-control study. Arch Environ Health 39 : 266 270.
10. Bujan L, Daudin M, Charlet JP, Thonneau P, Mieusset R (2000) Increase in scrotal temperature in car drivers. Hum Reprod 15 : 1355 1357.
11. Carlsen E, Andersson AM, Petersen JH, Skakkebaek NE (2003) History of febrile illness and variation in semen quality. Hum Reprod 18 : 2089 2092.
12. Chowdhury AK, Steinberger E (1970) Early changes in the germinal epithelium of rat testes following exposure to heat. J Reprod Fertil 22 : 205 212.
13. Davidson HA (1954) Treatment of male subfertility: testicular temperature and varicoceles. Practitioner 173 : 703 708.
14. Evenson DP, Jost LK, Corzett M, Balhorn R (2000) Characteristics of human sperm chromatin structure following an episode of influenza and high fever: a case study. J Androl 21 : 739 746.
15. Figà-Talamanca I, Dell'Orco V, Puri A, Dondero F, Gandini L, Lenzi A, Lombardo F, Scavalli P, Mancini G (1992) Fertility and semen quality of workers exposed to high temperatures in the ceramics industry. Reprod Toxicol 6 : 517 523.
16. Figà-Talamanca I, Cini C, Varricchio GC, Dondero F, Gandini L, Lenzi A, Lombardo F, Angelucci L, Di Grezia R, Patacchioli FR (1996) Effects of prolonged autovehicle driving on male reproductive function: a study among taxi drivers. Am J Ind Med 30 : 750 758.
17. Frankenhuis MT, Wensing CJG (1979) Induction of spermatogenesis in the naturally cryptorchid pig. Fertil Steril 31 : 428 433.
18. French DJ, Leeb CS, Jecht EW (1973) Reduction in sperm output by febrile attacks of familial mediterranean fever: a case report. Fertil Steril 24 : 490 493.
19. Fukui N (1923) Action of body temperature on the testicle. Jap Med World 3 : 160 163.
20. Gazvani MR, Wood SJ, Thomson AJM, Kingsland CR, Lewis-Jones DI (2000) Assessment of testicular core temperature using microwave thermography. Hum Reprod 15 : 1723 1726.
21. Goldstein M, Eid JF (1989) Elevation of intratesticular and scrotal skin surface temperature in men with varicocele. J Urol 142 : 743 745.
22. Grove GL, Grove MJ, Bates NT, Wagman LM, Leyden JJ (2002) Scrotal temperatures do not differ among young boys wearing disposable or reusable diapers. Skin Res Technol 8 : 260 270.
23. Hendry WF (1976) Loose pants and cold scrotal douches: effects on spermatogenesis. Sperm Action Prog Reprod Biol 1 : 259 262.
24. Hilscher W (1991) The genetic control and germ cell kinetics of the female and male germ line in mammals including man. Hum Reprod 6 : 1416 1425.
25. Hjollund NHI, Bonde JPE, Jensen TK, Henriksen TB, Kolstad HA, Ernst E, Giwercman A, Pritzl G, Skakkebaek NE, Olsen J (1998) A follow-up study of male exposure to welding and time to pregnancy. Reprod Toxicol 12 : 29 37.
26. Hjollund NHI, Bonde JPE, Jensen KT, Olsen J (2000) Diurnal scrotal skin temperature and semen quality. Int J Androl 23 : 309 318.
27. Hjollund NHI, Storgaard L, Ernst E, Bonde JPE, Christensen K, Olsen J (2002a) Correlation of scrotal temperature in twins. Hum Reprod 17 : 1837 1838.
28. Hjollund NHI, Storgaard L, Ernst E, Bonde JPE, Olsen J (2002b) The relation between daily activities and scrotal temperature. Reprod Toxicol 16 : 209 214.
29. Hjollund NHI, Storgaard L, Ernst E, Bonde JP, Olsen J (2002c) Impact of diurnal scrotal temperature and semen quality. Reprod Toxicol 16 : 215 221.
30. Jelnes JE (1988) Semen quality in workers producing reinforced plastic. Reprod Toxicol 2 : 209 212.
31. Jockenhövel F, Gräwe A, Nieschlag E (1990) A portable digital data recorder for long-term monitoring of scrotal temperatures. Fertil Steril 54 : 694 700.
32. Jung A (2001) Genital heat stress as a threat to male fertility. Andrologia 33 : 316 317.
33. Jung A, Eberl M, Schill WB (2001a) Improvement of semen quality by nocturnal scrotal cooling and moderate behavioural change to reduce genital heat stress in men with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. Reproduction 121 : 595 603.
34. Jung A, Schuppe HC, Schill WB (2001b) Fever as cause of temporary male infertility [in German]. Hautarzt 52 : 1090 1093.
35. Jung A, Schill WB, Schuppe HC (2002) Genital heat stress in men of barren couples: a prospective evaluation by means of a questionnaire. Andrologia 34 : 349 355.
36. Jung A, Hofstötter JP, Schuppe HC, Schill WB (2003) Relationship between sleeping posture and fluctuations in nocturnal scrotal temperature. Reprod Toxicol 17 : 433 438.
37. Jung A, Leonhardt F, Schill WB, Schuppe HC (2005a) Influence of the type of undertrousers and physical activity on scrotal temperature. Hum Reprod 20 : 1022 1027.
38. Jung A, Schill WB, Schuppe HC (2005b) Improvement of semen quality by nocturnal scrotal cooling in oligozoospermic men with a history of testicular maldescent. Int J Androl 28 : 93 98.
39. Jung A, Strauß P, Lindner HJ, Schuppe HC (2006) Beheizter Autositz und Skrotaltemperatur. J Reproduktionsmed Endokrinol 3 : 230 231.
40. Kandeel FR, Swerdloff RS (1988) Role of temperature in regulation of spermatogenesis and the use of heating as a method for contraception. Fertil Steril 49 : 1 23.
41. Kar JK (1953) Azoospermia. An analysis of 42 cases. Int J Sexol 7 : 42 44.
42. Koentjoro-Soehadi L (1982) Azoospermia caused by typhoid fever: a case report. Andrologia 14 : 31 34.
43. Koskelo R, Zaproudina N, Vuorikari K (2005) High scrotal temperatures and chairs in the pathophysiology of poor semen quality. Pathophysiology 11 : 221 224.
44. Kurz KR, Goldstein M (1986) Scrotal temperature reflects intratesticular temperature and is lowered by shaving. J Urol 135 : 290 292.
45. Laven JSE, Haverkorn MJ, Bots RSGM (1988) Influence of occupation and living habits on semen quality in men (scrotal insulation and semen quality). Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 29 : 137 141.
46. Lerchl A, Keck C, Spiteri-Grech J, Nieschlag E (1993) Diurnal variations in scrotal temperature of normal men and patients with varicocele before and after treatment. Int J Androl 16 : 195 200.
47. Lue YH, Sinha Hikim AP, Swerdloff RS, Im P, Taing KS, Bui T, Leung A, Wang C (1999) Single exposure to heat induces stage-specific germ cell apoptosis in rats: role of intratesticular testosterone on stage specificity. Endocrinol 140 : 1709 1717.
48. Lue YH, Lasley BL, Laughlin LS, Swerdloff RS, Sinha Hikim AP, Leung A, Overstreet JW, Wang C (2002) Mild testicular hyperthermia induces profound transitional spermatogenic suppression through increased germ cell apoptosis in adult cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). J Androl 23 : 799 805.
49. Lund L, Nielsen KT (1996) Varicocele testis and testicular temperature. Br J Urol 78 : 113 115.
50. Lynch R, Lewis-Jones DI, Machin DG, Desmond AD (1986) Improved semen characteristics in infertile men after a conservative treatment regimen based on the avoidance of testicular hyperthermia. Fertil Steril 46 : 476 479.
51. MacLeod J (1951) Effect of chickenpox and of pneumonia on semen quality. Fertil Steril 2 : 523 533.
52. MacLeod J, Hotchkiss RS (1941) The effect of hyperpyrexia upon spermatozoa counts in men. Endocrinology 28 : 780 784.
53. Magnusdottir EV, Thorsteinsson T, Thorsteinsdottir S, Heimisdottir M, Olafsdottir K (2005) Persistent organochlorines, sedentary occupation, obesity and human male subfertility. Hum Reprod 20 : 208 215.
54. Mieusset R, Bujan L (1994) The potential of mild testicular heating as a safe, effective and reversible contraceptive method for men. Int J Androl 17 : 186 191.
55. Mieusset R, Bujan L, Mansat A, Pontonnier F, Grandjean H (1987) Hyperthermia and human spermatogenesis: enhancement of the inhibitory effect obtained by 'artificial cryptorchidism'. Int J Androl 10 : 571 580.
56. Moeloek N (1995) Polyester sling scrotal cover induces oligozoospermia in normal indonesian men. Med J Indones 4 : 225 230.
57. Moore CR, Quick WMJ (1924) The scrotum as a temperature regulator for the testes. Am J Physiol 68 : 70 79.
58. Mortensen JT (1988) Risk for reduced sperm quality among metal workers, with special reference to welders. Scand J Work Environ Health 14 : 27 30.
59. Mulcahy JJ (1984) Scrotal hypothermia and the infertile man. J Urol 132 : 469 470.
60. Munkelwitz R, Gilbert BR (1998) Are boxer shorts really better? A critical analysis of the role of underwear type in male subfertility J Urol 160 : 1329 1333.
61. Mur JM, Wild P, Rapp R, Vautrin JP, Coulon JP (1998) Demographic evaluation of the fertility of aluminium industry workers: influence of exposure to heat and static magnetic fields. Hum Reprod 13 : 2016 2019.
62. Nishiyama H, Danno S, Kaneko Y, Itoh K, Yokoi H, Fukumoto M, Okuno H, Millán JL, Matsuda T, Yoshida O, Fujita J (1998) Decreased expression of cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) in male germ cells at elevated temperature. Am J Pathol 152 : 289 296.
63. Oldereid NB, Rui H, Purvis K (1992) Life styles of men in barren couples and their relationship to sperm quality. Int J Fertil 37 : 343 349.
64. Parazzini F, Marchini M, Luchini L, Tozzi L, Mezzopane R, Fedele L (1995) Tight underpants and trousers and risk of dyspermia. Int J Androl 18 : 137 140.
65. Partsch CJ, Aukamp M, Sippell WG (2000) Scrotal temperature is increased in disposable plastic lined nappies. Arch Dis Child 83 : 364 368.
66. Procopé BJ (1965) Effect of repeated increase of body temperature on human sperm cells. Int J Fertil 10 : 333 339.
67. Rachootin P, Olsen J (1983) The risk of infertility and delayed conception associated with exposures in the Danish workplace. J Occup Med 25 : 394 402.
68. Robinson D, Rock J, Menkin MF (1968) Control of human spermatogenesis by induced changes of intrascrotal temperature. JAMA 204 : 80 87.
69. Rock J, Robinson D (1965) Effect of induced intrascrotal hyperthermia on testicular function in man. Am J Obstet Gynecol 93 : 793 800.
70. Rockett JC, Mapp FL, Garges JB, Luft JC, Mori C, Dix DJ (2001) Effects of hyperthermia on spermatogenesis, apoptosis, gene expression, and fertility in adult male mice. Biol Reprod 65 : 229 239.
71. Saikhun J, Kitiyanant Y, Vanadurongwan V, Pavasuthipaisit K (1998) Effects of sauna on sperm movement characteristics of normal men measured by computer-assisted sperm analysis. Int J Androl 21 : 358 363.
72. Sanger WG, Friman PC (1990) Fit of underwear and male spermatogenesis: a pilot investigation. Reprod Toxicol 4 : 229 232.
73. Sas M, Szöllösi J (1979) Impaired spermiogenesis as a common finding among professional drivers. Arch Androl 3 : 57 60.
74. Schill WB (1994) Fertilitätsstörungen des Mannes - Diagnostik und Therapie. In : Gynäkologische Endokrinologie und Fortpflanzung. Band 2 Fortpflanzungsmedizin. Runnebaum B, Rabe T (eds). Springer, Berlin, pp. 287 334.
75. Shafik A (1991) Testicular suspension as a method of male contraception: technique and results. Adv Contracept Deliv Syst 7 : 269 279.
76. Shafik A (1992) Contraceptive efficacy of polyester-induced azoospermia in normal men. Contraception 45 : 439 451.
77. Sheriff DS (1987) Semen analyses in Hansen's disease. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 81 : 113 114.
78. Sheynkin Y, Jung M, Yoo P, Schulsinger D, Komaroff E (2005) Increase in scrotal temperature in laptop computer users. Hum Reprod 2 : 452 455.
79. Song GS, Seo JT (2006) Changes in the scrotal temperature of subjects in a sedentary posture over a heated floor. Int J Androl 29 : 446 457.
80. Stoy J, Hjollund NHI, Mortensen JT, Burr H, Bonde JP (2004) Semen quality and sedentary work position. Int J Androl 27 : 5 11.
81. Thonneau P, Ducot B, Bujan L, Mieusset R, Spira A (1997) Effect of male occupational heat exposure on time to pregnancy. Int J Androl 20 : 274 278.
82. Tielemans E, Burdorf A, te Velde ER, Weber RFA, van Kooij RJ, Veulemans H, Heederik DJJ (1999) Occupationally related exposures and reduced semen quality: a case-control study. Fertil Steril 71 : 690 696.
83. Tiemessen CHJ, Evers JLH, Bots RSGM (1996) Tight-fitting underwear und sperm quality. Lancet 347 : 1844 1845.
84. Vera Y, Rodriguez S, Castanares M, Lue Y, Atienza V, Wang C, Swerdloff RS, Sinha Hikim AP (2005) Functional role of caspases in heat-induced testicular germ cell apoptosis. Biol Reprod 72 : 516 522.
85. Voegeli M (1956) Contraception Through Temporary Male Sterilization. Smith College Library, Northampton, MA.
86. Wang C, McDonald V, Leung A, Superlano L, Berman N, Hull L, Swerdloff RS (1997) Effect of increased scrotal temperature on sperm production in normal men. Fertil Steril 68 : 334 339.
87. Watanabe A (1959) The effect of heat on the human spermatogenesis. Kyushu J Med Sci 10 : 101 117.
88. Yamaguchi M, Sakatoku J, Takihara H (1989) The application of intrascrotal deep body temperature measurement for the non-invasive diagnosis of varicoceles. Fertil Steril 52 : 295 301.
89. Yamamoto CM, Sinha Hikim AP, Huynh PN, Shapiro B, Lue YH, Salameh WA, Wang C, Swerdloff RS (2000) Redistribution of Bax is an early step in an apoptotic pathway leading to germ cell death in rats, triggered by mild testicular hyperthermia. Biol Reprod 63 : 1683 1690.
90. Zhang ZH, Jin X, Zhang XS, Hu ZY, Zou RJ, Han CS, Lui YX (2003) Bcl-2 and Bax are involved in experimental cryptorchidism-induced testicular germ cell apoptosis in rhesus monkey. Contraception 68 : 297 301.
91. Zorgniotti AW, MacLeod J (1973) Studies in temperature, human semen quality, and varicocele. Fertil Steril 24 : 854 863.
92. Zorgniotti AW, Toth A, MacLeod J (1979) Infrared thermometry for testicular temperature determinations. Fertil Steril 32 : 347 348.
93. Zorgniotti AW, Sealfon AI, Toth A (1980) Chronic scrotal hypothermia as a treatment for poor semen. Lancet 1 : 904 906.
94. Zorgniotti AW, Reiss H, Toth A, Sealfon AI (1982a) Effect of clothing on scrotal temperature in normal men and patients with poor semen. Urology 19 : 176 178.
95. Zorgniotti AW, Sealfon AI, Toth A (1982b) Further clinical experience with testis hypothermia for infertility due to poor semen. Urology 19 : 636 640.
96. Zorgniotti AW, Cohen MS, Sealfon AI (1986) Chronic scrotal hypothermia: results in 90 infertile couples. J Urol 135 : 944 947.