IMPACT OF OCCUPATIONAL HEAT EXPOSURE ON MALE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

Abstract

Humans are exposed to several exogenous chemicals used in industrial processes, development activities and also through food chain. The male reproductive system is vulnerable to the effects of the physical and chemical factors. This is a review of literature to determine the influence of occupations involving high temperature on the male reproductive health. We concluded that occupational heat exposure will alter spermatogenesis and also affect sperm morphology, therefore it is overall a risk factor for male infertility. A few studies have shown that the occupational heat exposure to male partner can cause low birth weight, preterm delivery, and spontaneous abortion which may be due to genetic mutations in human sperm. However, more prospective studies are needed to ascertain this fact.