Scrotal heat stress effects on sperm viability, sperm DNA integrity, and the offspring sex ratio in mice

Abstract Evidence exists to suggest detrimental effects of heat stress on male fertility. This study was designed to assess the effects of scrotal heat stress on mature and developing sperm in a mouse model. After receiving shock heat treatment (42°C for 30 min), mature spermatozoa were recovered from the epididymis hours (6) or Days (7, 14, 21, 28, 60) later, to determine the variables: number of spermatozoa, sperm viability, motility and progressive motility, sperm DNA integrity as established by the TUNEL method, embryo implantation rate, and sex ratio of the fetuses conceived using the heat‐exposed spermatozoa. Our results indicate that transient mild heat treatment does not affect in the same way the different types of male germ cells. Spermatocytes present within the testis at the time of heat stress resulted into a lower concentration of spermatozoa with reduced viability and low motility. Even though, DNA integrity of spermatozoa resulting from spermatocytes was also compromised by heat stress, the higher degree of DNA damage was found among spermatozoa resulting from spermatids present within the testis at the time of heat stress. At last, heat shock effect on spermatozoa present in the epididymis at the time of thermal stress resulted into a sex ratio distortion. These findings point to a higher sensitivity of spermatocytes to heat exposure and also suggest a different response of X and Y chromosome‐bearing spermatozoa to heat stress that warrants further investigation. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 40–47, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.