Evaluation of Testosterone, Dihydrotestosterone and Gonadotropins among Long Distance Drivers in Benin City, Nigeria

Background: Reseach reports over the years have pointed to the vulnerability of the testes to heat and other physical agents of cell damage. A possible source of intense heat is the drivers' seat of heavy duty trucks and trailers. For the drivers of these vehicles, testicular heat is likely to occur, and initial injury/damage within the testes is likely accompanied by an increase in the serum concentration of FSH and LH from the anterior pituitary gland. This research was aimed at evaluating the serum concentration of Testosterone, Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) in drivers of heavy duty trucks and trailers (long distance drivers), as compared to values obtained from age-matched control subjects.