Thermal Stress — Fact Checks

SCIENCE Jul 27, 2026

Thermal stress generally suppresses testosterone and impairs male reproductive physiology.

Claim: In males living in the Kalahari environment, elevated circulating testosterone indicates that a sexual-selection-related physiological axis remains active in the population despite thermal stressors. TOTAL BS

HEALTH Jun 23, 2026

Thermal stress can raise cortisol and suppress testosterone, especially chronically.

Claim: Under thermal stress, elevated cortisol can reduce testosterone levels, affecting sexually dimorphic traits. HARDLY BS

SCIENCE Jun 23, 2026

Many sexually dimorphic traits are energetically costly, and thermal stress often raises metabolic demands.

Claim: Sexual dimorphism is energetically costly to produce and maintain, and these costs are expected to increase as environments become more thermally stressful. HARDLY BS