Scrotal temperature is increased in disposable plastic lined nappies

doi:10.1136/adc.83.4.364

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Scrotal temperature is increased in disposable plastic lined nappies C-J Partsch, M Aukamp, W G Sippell

Division of Paediatric Endocrinology, Department of Paediatrics, Christian-Albrechts- University of Kiel, Schwanenweg 20, D-24105 Kiel, Germany

Correspondence to: Professor Sippell email: sippell{at}pediatrics.uni-kiel.de

Accepted 15 May 2000

OBJECTIVES $---$ Male reproductive health has deteriorated in recent decades. It is proposed that increased testicular temperature in earlychildhood, due to the use of modern disposable plastic lined nappies(diapers), could be an important factor contributing to thisdecline.
STUDY DESIGN $---$ Scrotal skin temperature was measured non-invasively in 48 healthy children aged 0-55 months (three age groups) for two 24hour periods in randomised order (either cotton or disposableplastic lined nappies) using a portable, miniaturerecorder.
RESULTS $---$ Mean 24 hour scrotal temperature (2880 measurements) was significantly higher in all age groups during the periods of plasticnappy use than with cotton nappies (p < 0.001). The rectoscrotaltemperature difference was significantly higher with cotton thanwith plastic nappy use (p < 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS $---$ Scrotal hypothermia is an important factor for normal spermatogenesis. This study shows that scrotal temperature, which closelyreflects testicular temperature, is increased in boys wearingdisposable plastic lined nappies. The physiological testicularcooling mechanism is blunted and often completely abolished duringplastic nappy use. The present results establish the basis forfurther research on the impact of increased testicular temperaturein infancy on laterspermatogenesis.

Keywords: testicular temperature; testicular function; spermatogenesis; cryptorchidism; male infertility

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Decline in male gonadal health: nappies not to blame: Louise Parker; ADC Online, 3 Oct 2000 [Full text]
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Other implications of disposable nappies: Carrie Heal; ADC Online, 5 Mar 2001 [Full text]
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