Correlation of scrotal temperature in twins: Brief Communication

BACKGROUND: Scrotal temperature and semen quality have been found to be inversely correlated in several studies, and variation in scrotal temperature may contribute to the well known variation in semen quality. The reason for the variation in scrotal temperature is not well understood although deter...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Human reproduction (Oxford) 2002-07, Vol.17 (7), p.1837-1838
Main Authors: Hjollund, Niels Henrik I., Storgaard, Lone, Ernst, Erik, Bonde, Jens Peter E., Christensen, Kaare, Olsen, Jørn
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
heredity
semen quality
temperature
twins
varicocele
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Summary:BACKGROUND: Scrotal temperature and semen quality have been found to be inversely correlated in several studies, and variation in scrotal temperature may contribute to the well known variation in semen quality. The reason for the variation in scrotal temperature is not well understood although determinants could be of a genetic nature. METHODS: We monitored scrotal skin temperature for 24 h in a group of monozygotic and dizygotic twins and single-born brothers (n = 48 males). A thermistor was attached to the underwear and the temperature of the scrotal skin was recorded every 5 min using a small portable data logger. RESULTS: A correlation in median scrotal temperature was found among monozygotic twins (r = 0.64, P = 0.01), but not in dizygotic twins and single-born brothers (r = 0.17, NS). Similar results were found for other percentiles of temperature. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest a genetic component to the variation in scrotal temperature. An hereditary element in male fecundity may be expressed through scrotal temperature, which constitutes a mechanism independent of those responsible for the development of the sperm producing epithelium.
ISSN:0268-1161
1460-2350
DOI:10.1093/humrep/17.7.1837