Lagos – Some medical experts in Lagos on
Saturday said pesticides and other insect
killer chemicals could affect the quality of
sperm in men.
They said 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. (NAN)

www.vanguardngr.com/2013/03/pesticides-affect-sperm-quality-experts/