Scrotal Hypothermia in the Infertile Men

Paick, Jae Seung; Lee, Hee Yong

Abstract

Thirty four patients with subfertile semen, elevated intrascrotal temperature( > 34.0 degrees C) and >2 years of unsuccessful non-contraceptive coitus with spouse judged able to conceive were tested with a scrotal hypothermia device which was made by us. Varicocele, failed varicocelectomy and idiopathic infertility are conditions suitable for scrotal hypothermia treatment. Improvement in 1 or more semen parameters was seen in 16 patients(47%) and pregnancy occurred in 3 patients(9 %). Of 13 patients with pretreatment subfertile semen in 3 parameters, 5 patients(39%) showed improvement in 1 or more parameters, but none produced pregnancy. Of 9 patients with pretreatment subfertile semen in 2 parameters, 4 patients(44%) showed improvement in 1 or 2 parameters, but none produced pregnancy. Of 12 patients with pretreatment subfertile semen in one parameter, 7 patients(58 %) showed improvement in semen parameter and 3 patients(25%) produced pregnancy. Three patients with nonobstructive azoospermia showed no semen change with the scrotal hypothermia device. This result implies that the patient with minimal subfertile semen has the best chance to take effects.