Relationship between body and testis temperatures in the European hedgehog, Erinaceus europaeus , during hibernation and sexual reactivation

Simultaneous telemetry of the body and testis temperatures of 8 hedgehogs was carried out during hibernation and during sexual reactivation in spring. Between October and January, when the testes were involuted, the body/testis temperature differential was variable, with mean daily testis temperatures up to 1 degrees C warmer than body temperatures. From mid-February onwards, when plasma testosterone approached maximal concentrations, mean testicular temperatures stabilized 1.4 +/- 0.2 degrees C below body temperatures. During spermatogenesis testicular temperature of hedgehogs was significantly lower than body temperature. Over the euthermic body temperature range of 34.7-36.2 degrees C, testicular temperatures varied from 34.0 to 34.9 degrees C. Only at body temperatures over 36.2 degrees C did testicular temperature reach 35 degrees C. During spermatogenesis hedgehog testis temperatures are similar to those of many scrotal mammals.