Use of disposable nappies may explain an increase in male infertility seen
in recent years, according to German researchers.
They measured scrotal skin temperature, a measure of testicular temperature,
in 48 healthy children (aged 0-55 months). Measurements were taken over two
24-hour periods, while the child wore either a cotton or a disposable plastic-lined
nappy. The researchers found that mean 24-hour scrotal skin temperature was
consistently and significantly higher when babies wore disposable nappies. The
mean difference in scrotal temperature between the two groups ranged between
0.6 and 1.1C. The researchers say that, in adults, short-term testicular temperature
elevation has been shown to suppress spermatogenesis and that mild testicular
heating has been demonstrated to have a reversible contraceptive effect.
They comment: “It seems possible that a prolonged and continuous elevation
of testicular temperature by a mean of 1C can affect maturation of the infant
testis.” However, they add that the impact of temperature increase on testis
development in infants is unknown and suggest that further studies are needed
(Archives of Disease in Childhood 2000:83:364).