EXPOSURE TO IONIZING AND NON-IONIZING RADIATION AND IMPAIRMENT OF MALE REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION: A LITERATURE REVIEW
Abstract
The increasing human exposure to ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, driven by technological advances and the expanded use of electronic devices and radiological medical procedures, has raised concerns regarding possible impacts on male reproductive health. This study aimed to highlight the effects of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation on male reproductive function based on recent scientific literature. This is an integrative literature review conducted in the PubMed, LILACS, Virtual Health Library (VHL), and SciELO databases, using descriptors related to ionizing radiation, non-ionizing radiation, male infertility, spermatogenesis, and male reproductive function. Studies published between 2020 and 2026, available in full text in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, were included, while duplicate studies, reviews, incomplete studies, and publications unrelated to the topic were excluded. Initially, 647 studies were identified; after screening, duplicate removal, and eligibility assessment, 20 articles composed the final sample. The results showed that both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation can cause alterations in male reproductive function, including reduced sperm motility, vitality, and concentration, sperm DNA damage, hormonal changes, oxidative stress, cellular apoptosis, and impaired spermatogenesis. Exposure intensity, duration, and occupational exposure were also found to influence the extent of reproductive damage. It is concluded that radiation exposure represents a potential risk factor for male fertility, reinforcing the need for preventive measures, radioprotection, and further scientific investigations into its biological effects.
Author Biography
Professor of Higher Education in the Biomedical Sciences Program at Fametro University Center (Manaus, AM, Brazil), PhD in Genetics, Conservation and Evolutionary Biology from the National Institute of Amazonian Research (INPA).
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