Question

Temperature in scrotum necessary for sperm formation should be:
A) 2 degree celsius higher than body temperature
B) 2 degree celsius lower than body temperature
C) 8 degree celsius higher than body temperature
D) 8 degree celsius lower than body temperature

Answer 1

Scrotum ( sac or pouch like structure suspending from the root of penis covering testes) helps to maintain the temperature necessary for spermatogenesis by locating the testes outside of the body cavity.For normal sperm development temperature lower than our normal body temperature is required, which is attained by scrotum.

Complete Answer:
- Testes lie in scrotum outside the abdominal cavity. The scrotum has a protective function and acts as a climate control system for the testes, ideal temperature for sperm production is around $34^\circ$C.
- This is approximately $2^\circ$C below normal body temperature which is $36.5^\circ$C, an increase in scrotal temperature can lead to decrease in viable sperms so this low temperature of scrotum is an important concern for sperm production.
- Special muscles in the walls of scrotum allow it to contract (tighten) and relax, that moves the testes closer to the body for warmth and protection or farther away from the body to decrease its temperature.
- So, scrotum maintains appropriate temperature for spermatogenesis, and thereby facilitates ideal sperm formation, which signifies the proper functioning of scrotum as well as testes.

Thus the correct answer is option ‘B’ i.e. $2^\circ$C below body temperature.

Note: Scrotum helps to regulate the temperature of the testes, which is needed to be kept cooler than the normal body temperature for proper sperm production. Scrotum changes its size to maintain the desired temperature of the testes required for spermatogenesis.