Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
8650200 | Journal of Thermal Biology | 2016 | 19 Pages |
Abstract
This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the differences in abdominal temperature (AT) between fertile (n=206; age) and infertile (n=250) women between the ages of 30 and 39 years. We evaluated the differences in two distinctive skin temperatures by thermography: ÎT1 (CV8 index) - difference in temperature between the mid-abdomen (CV8 acupuncture area) and ventral upper arm (VUA) and ÎT2 (CV4 index) - difference in temperature between the lower abdomen (CV4 acupuncture area) and VUA. The results indicated that the ÎT1 and ÎT2 of infertile women were significantly lower (by 1.05 °C and 0.79 °C, respectively; p<0.001, both) compared to those of fertile women. Additionally, the area under the curve of ÎT1 (0.78) was greater compared to that of ÎT2 (0.736), and its threshold was set at 0.675 °C, by which, the sensitivity and specificity of ÎT1 for determination of fertility were found to be 80.8% and 68.4%, respectively. In conclusion, infertility is associated with lower AT. The decrease in AT in infertile women might be due to poor blood perfusion to the core muscles and tissues of the body. These findings provide a basis for further research for evaluation of clinical feasibility of thermography for analysis of infertility in women. Further evaluation of the influence of AT on fertility outcomes is required to determine the causal relationship between AT and infertility.
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Agricultural and Biological Sciences (General)
Authors
Junyoung Jo, Hyunho Kim,