The effect of temperature on sperm production
June 02, 2025The testes are located in the scrotum outside the male body and the temperature is two degrees lower than the body temperature. An increase in the body temperature can affect sperm production and might even lead to an azoospermic state. However, this state is reversible and as soon as the temperature drops, the testes resume normal sperm production. Hence if a men does a semen analysis showing oligospermia or azoospermia, it is recommended that he repeats the tests few days later to avoid having the result biased by an accidental exposure to temperature approximately 70 days before the test.
Varicocele leads to a decrease in fertility through the same mechanism. When blood circulation in the testes is altered, it will lead to an increase of the temperature in the testes, leading to a decrease in sperm production through spermatogenesis.
