Elevation of intratesticular and scrotal skin surface temperature in men with varicocele

Abstract

A possible mechanism of varicocele-induced infertility is believed to be elevation of testicular temperature. Sensitive needle thermistors were used to measure directly intratesticular and bilateral scrotal surface temperatures simultaneously in anesthetized infertile men with varicocele and control subjects. We found that intratesticular temperature is elevated significantly in humans with varicocele. In addition, we have shown that scrotal skin surface temperature is elevated in men with varicocele. Furthermore, we demonstrate that unilateral varicocele is associated with bilateral elevation of scrotal surface temperature. These findings confirm the results of animal studies revealing elevation of intratesticular temperature associated with varicocele and suggest bilateral elevation in unilateral varicocele.