In the mid-1960s and early 1970s, several studies were published indicating the value of IR (infrared)
thermography in veterinary medicine [1-3]. In the 1965 research of Delahanty and George [2], the
thermographic images required at least 6 min to produce a thermogram, a lengthy period of time during
which the veterinarian had to keep the horse still while the scan was completed. This disadvantage was
overcome by the development of high speed scanners using rotating IR prisms which then could produce
instantaneous thermograms.

Use of Infrared Imaging in Veterinary Medicine

Varicocele is a frequent cause of male infertility, and small varicoceles may be just as pathological as large ones. Slight changes in blood flow into the internal spermatic vein (ISV) are frequently difficult to detect by clinical examination only. These inpalpable vascular changes can be the cause of “idiopathic” infertility. In the last eight years we have tested some methods (thermography, plate thermography, phlebography and angioscintigraphy)1,2 which have been found valuable in the diagnosis of venous insufficiency and varices of the ISV.

Thermographic Characteristics of the Scrotum in the Infertile Male

Spontaneous contractions of the isolated testicular capsule of the adult rabbit have been found to be markedly sensitive to heat and cold stress. Testicular capsular contractions may provide a propulsive pumping action for transporting nonmotile sperm out of the testis and into the epididymis where they can then attain motility. An optimal temperature for the amplitude of spontaneous contractions of the rabbit testicular capsule occurred at 32 – 34°C. An increase in thein vitro organ bath temperature from 37 to 40°C caused a marked decrease in the amplitude of spontaneous contractions. A complete and irreversible cessation of spontaneous contractions occurred at 48°C for at least 30 min after cooling to 37°C. A decrease in temperature from 37 to 26°C resulted in a marked decrease in frequency and amplitude progressing to a complete but reversible cessation of spontaneous contractions at 16°C. Marked changes in the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous contractions of the isolated testicular capsule began to be observed when the tissue was exposed to organ bath temperatures of 3°C above and below the normal intra-testicular temperature. These data suggest that exposure of men to fever or excessively hot baths as well as swimming in excessively cold water or extreme cold weather exposure may have inhibitory effects on testicular capsular spontaneous contractions which may interfere with sperm transport.

Effects of hyperthermia and hypothermia on spontaneous contractions of the adult rabbit testicular capsule

The preliminary study is concerned with 25 cases that have been examined using thermography in planes to check the conditions of temperature of the testes in normal and pathological states. Normal testicular thermography is characterised by a symmetrical and constant thermographic picture, the temperature staying between 32.5 and 34.5 degrees. In the pathological states of oligoasthenospermia plate thermography shows up a particular thermic picture associated with a varicocoele whether this is clinical or subclinical. The picture is one of hyperthermia and lack of symmetry in the case of a unilateral lesion. In these cases tyeing off the spermatic vein shows a rapid return to a normal thermographic picture. These positive results have led to a more extensive and deep study which is at present in progress.

Jamain B

Papers

Thermography of the testicle. Preliminary study