Chronic Scrotal Hypothermia: Results in 90 Infertile Couples

Abstract

We studied the use of a testicular hypothermia device worn daily for at least 16 weeks in 64 men with subfertile semen and elevated testicular temperature, who had had an infertile marriage for 2 or more years in which the wife was judged fertile. Improvement in 1 or more semen parameters was seen in 42 patients (65.6 per cent). Semen analysis was converted into the motile oval index, a numerical value representing the count, motility and normal morphology. The motile oval index helps to predict pregnancy outcome. Of 21 patients with pre-treatment motile oval indexes greater than 4.8 million per ml. 11 (52.4 per cent) produced pregnancy. Patients with lower starting indexes did not fare as well. Of 20 patients who met the criteria, and who wore the device for less than 2 weeks or not at all and had no other treatment 1 (5.0 per cent) produced pregnancy. Mean hypothermia time to date of missed menses was 4.2 months. Six patients with nonobstructive azoospermia showed no semen change with the testicular hypothermia device.

Improvement of semen quality by nocturnal scrotal cooling in oligozoospermic men with a history of testicular maldescent

“…As another mode of scrotal cooling, repeated cold washings have been recommended (Davidson, 1954), but pertinent studies are missing. To date, only an evaporative cooling device for reduction of scrotal temperature has found its way into daily practice (Zorgniotti et al. , 1980, 1982, 1986).…”

“…Because of the resultant humid environment its application time is limited and only recommended during daytime to allow regeneration of the scrotal skin at night. Among 64 study patients (infertility for at least 2 years, normal gynaecological findings in the female partner) who had worn the cooling device for a minimum of 16 weeks, semen quality was improved in 65.6% and pregnancy occurred in 26.6% cases (Zorgniotti et al. , 1986).…”

“…As another mode of scrotal cooling, repeated cold washings have been recommended (Davidson, 1954), but pertinent studies are missing. To date, only an evaporative cooling device for reduction of scrotal temperature has found its way into daily practice (Zorgniotti et al, 1980(Zorgniotti et al, , 1982(Zorgniotti et al, , 1986. The cooling effect is achieved by evaporation of water from a body-worn reservoir, which is continuously emitted into a scrotal covering.…”

Effect of Extratesticular Hematoma on Testicular Blood Flow and the Histology of the Testis and Dartos Fascia

“…Wright et al [13] reported a decrease in testicular temperature after varicocelectomy in infertile men. There are many studies that report about the adverse effects hypothermia and hyperthermia have on spermatogenesis [14][15][16]. Mulcahy [14] reported that scrotal cooling might have a positive effect on improving semen quality.…”

Die Samenqualität des Mannes nach testikulärer überwärmung

“…In der Untersuchung von FigaTalamanca et al [9] [69], zeigte sich in 65,6% eine Spermiogrammverbesserung, und in 26,6% trat eine Schwangerschaft ein. Die Compliance der Patienten betrug insgesamt jedoch lediglich 46%.…”