This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Banks, S. Articles by Saunders, P. T K Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Banks, S. Articles by Saunders, P. T K

Impact of a mild scrotal heat stress on DNA integrity in murine spermatozoa

MRC Human Reproductive Sciences Unit, The Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK

Correspondence should be addressed to P Saunders, MRC Human Reproductive Sciences Unit, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK; Email: p.saunders{at}ed.ac.uk

An increase in scrotal temperature can lead to the production of poor quality spermatozoa and infertility. In the present study we have used mice to examine the impact of mild, scrotal heat stress (42 °C for 30 min) on numbers of spermatozoa as well as on the integrity of their DNA. Spermatozoa recovered from the epididymides hours (1 to 24) or days (7 to 32) after treatment were analysed using COMET and sperm chromatin structure (SCSA) assays. The treatment induced a stress response in both the testis and the epididymis that was associated with reduced expression of the cold inducible RNA binding protein (Cirp) and an increase in germ cell apoptosis (Apotag positive cells). Although spermatozoa present in the epididymis at the time of heating contained correctly packaged DNA, its integrity was compromised by heat stress. In addition, although some germ cells, which were present within the testis at the time of heat stress, were removed by apoptosis, many germ cells completed their development and were recovered as motile spermatozoa with damaged DNA. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that scrotal heat stress can compromise the DNA integrity of spermatozoa and this may have clinical implications for patients undergoing IVF and intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. Paul, A. A Murray, N. Spears, and P. T K Saunders A single, mild, transient scrotal heat stress causes DNA damage, subfertility and impairs formation of blastocysts in mice Reproduction, July 1, 2008; 136(1): 73 - 84. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Tremellen Oxidative stress and male infertility--a clinical perspective Hum. Reprod. Update, May 1, 2008; 14(3): 243 - 258. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Paul, D. W. Melton, and P. T.K. Saunders Do heat stress and deficits in DNA repair pathways have a negative impact on male fertility? Mol. Hum. Reprod., January 1, 2008; 14(1): 1 - 8. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Zini and J. Libman Sperm DNA damage: clinical significance in the era of assisted reproduction. Can. Med. Assoc. J., August 29, 2006; 175(5): 495 - 500. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]