Manipal,Aug 2, 2013 : A study conducted by a team of fertility experts from Manipal University has found that men handling x-ray or gamma radiation sources on a regular basis for a long period are at increased risk of producing poor quality sperm cells.
Dr Satish Adiga, Professor in Clinical Embryology who headed the research team, said the genetic and epigenetic abnormalities observed in the sperm was a matter of serious concern though the study did not find any increased incidence of infertility among the workers.
Dr H Vinod Bhat, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Manipal University, also a professor of Preventive Medicine and Public Health states that the observation made by the study cannot be ignored. There is a need to ensure that the health of professionals and that of their children is not at risk, he stressed.