Some medical experts in Lagos on Saturday said pesticides and other
insect killer chemicals could affect the quality of sperm in men.
They told News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in separate interviews in
Lagos that low sperm quality could cause sterility.
A consultant gynaecologist at Shalom Hospital, Dr Titi Dairo,
said many environmental factors affected sperm quality in men.
According to her, such factors are pesticides and insecticides, which
are mostly overlooked by most people as damaging to the sperm producing organ
of men.
``Pesticides and insecticides used in controlling insects,
pests and rodents have harmful effects not only on a person's health, but
also on the sperm.
``Pesticides and insecticides exposure may affect
spermatogenesis leading to poor semen quality.
``Other environmental elements that affect sperm quality
include: extended exposure to industrial chemicals like herbicides,
pesticides, organic solvents and painting materials.
``Indiscriminate exposure to these elements should be limited,
if not avoided because low sperm count and poor sperm quality are the
causes of infertility in men," she said.
A general physician, Dr Ibidun Abimbola, said that over
exposure to insecticide used in killing mosquitoes could have harmful
effect on the sperm producing organs of men.
``Chemicals from pesticides and insecticides can cause damage,
not only to the health, but also to the male reproductive organ.
``Reduction in sperm quality due to several exposures to
pesticides and insecticides can result in infertility."
She listed other factors responsible for low sperm count in men to
include work related stress, and lead fumes generated in the manufacturing
of small cell batteries.
"Exposure to X-rays should be limited as sperm cells
are easily damaged by its gamma rays.
``Sitting for a long period, wearing tight clothing or using a
laptop on your lap for a long period may also increase the temperature
in your scrotum and reduce sperm production," she said.
Source: NAN
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