Background: It is now accepted that scrotal heat stress could adversely affect spermatogenesis. This high thermal condition can cause a reduced male fertility potential. Nowadays, there is limited data regarding the effect of transient scrotal hyperthermia on heat shock proteins 70 and 90 in mice. In the current study, we investigated the effects of scrotal hyperthermia on the expression of heat shock proteins, stereological parameters and semen quality in mice.
Material and Methods: In this examination, a total of 18 healthy adult male NMRI mice were divided equally into two groups: control and scrotal hyperthermia. Scrotal heat stress was induced by placing the lower parts of mice bodies into the water bath for three consecutive days (43°C, 20 min/day)‎. Then, epididymis and testicular samples were collected for evaluation of sperm parameters, stereological study, mRNA, and protein expression of HSP70 and HSP90.
Results: Our results revealed that scrotal hyperthermia could strikingly increase the level of mRNA and protein expression of HSP70 and HSP90 in the samples. In addition, stereological parameters and semen quality significantly decreased in transient scrotal hyperthermia-induced mice compared to the control group.
Conclusions: Taken together, our study demonstrated that transient scrotal heat stress could increase the level of mRNA and protein expression of HSP70 and HSP90 resulting in altered male fertility.