OtherHumann = 61980
Chronic scrotal hypothermia as a treatment for poor semen quality.
Plain-language summary
This study looked at whether cooling the scrotum could improve semen quality in men whose infertility came with a raised testicular temperature. Six men with poor semen results and a raised testicular temperature wore an experimental appliance that cools by evaporation, with little discomfort, for as long as 24 hours a day and for periods as long as 20 weeks. Three of the six wives became pregnant during treatment, and semen analysis at the time of the missed period showed improvements in all three of those men. Two men who did not achieve a pregnancy also showed semen improvements after 12 weeks. The authors argue the improvements cannot be attributed to anything other than the cooling.
Key findings
- Three of the six wives became pregnant while their husbands were on treatment.
- Semen improved in all three of those men, measured at the time of the missed period.
- Semen also improved after 12 weeks in two men whose wives did not conceive.
- The appliance was worn with little discomfort for as long as 24 hours a day and for periods as long as 20 weeks.
- Six men is a very small study and there was no untreated comparison group.
How to analyze the study yourself
- Study type
- This design tests an intervention in a specific group, so it can show whether the intervention worked in that group, but it cannot rule out other factors that might have influenced the results.
- Population
- Six men whose infertility came with poor semen results and a raised testicular temperature. There was no untreated comparison group.
- Funding
- Not reported
- Takeaway
- This study followed six men whose infertility came with poor semen results and a raised testicular temperature. Three of the six wives became pregnant during treatment, and semen improved in those three men and in two others who did not achieve a pregnancy. Six men is a very small study and it cannot tell you how often this works. If you are trying to conceive and your testicular temperature runs high, it may be worth asking your doctor about ways to keep your scrotum cool.