Male Infertility And Thermoregulation During Physical Activity

Abstract

The objective of this study tends to highlight the defense mechanisms that the testicles manifest in order to maintain their temperature between 33°C and 34°C and thus ensure the smooth running of spermatogenesis. Indeed, the maintenance of this temperature range results from two thermoregulatory systems which act in synergy: on the one hand, the scrotal system which increases its surface for exchange and sweat in order to cool the venous blood; and on the other hand, the vascular system of the pampiniform plexus where heat exchanges take place according to its concentration gradient, from arterial blood which is warmer to venous blood which is colder. In this perspective, the persistence of physical exercise creates a drift in muscular but also cutaneous blood flow which competes with testicular blood flow. There is also hypovolemia which will decrease testicular venous return, which causes an increase in scrotal temperature and impairs spermatogenesis.