Effect of high environmental temperature on semen parameters among fertile men.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of high environmental occupational temperature on semen parameters of fertile men.

DESIGN

Prospective.

SETTING

Steel-casting plant.

PATIENT(S): Ninety fertile workers exposed to a high temperature compared with 40 fertile workers working under ordinary conditions as control subjects.

INTERVENTION(S): Measurement of scrotal temperature by invagination thermometry, air temperature, relative humidity by aspirated psychrometer, radiant heat by globe thermometer, air velocity by light vane anemometer, and semen analysis.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Scrotal temperature and semen analysis.

RESULT(S): Nonsignificant difference was found between the two groups regarding their scrotal temperature. Also, nonsignificant differences were demonstrated regarding semen analysis parameters being in the normozoospermic range.

CONCLUSION(S): Under high environmental temperature, semen parameters were within normozoospermic levels owing to body acclimatization mechanisms.