Men who use their laptops by propping them on their thighs may be putting their fertility at risk, a new study has indicated. While it is a common practice across genders to keep laptops on your thighs while working, research shows that it can harm your reproductive system. Exposure to heat and electromagnetic fields (EMFs) given off by computers can affect male reproductive organs and sperm quality.How Does A Higher Temperature Decrease Fertility?In 2005, a small study from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook found the heat given off by a laptop could raise the temperature of the scrotum, the sac of skin that protects the testicles. In the study, laptop heat raised the temperature of the scrotum by as much as 2.8 degrees Celsius. This may not sound like much, but it can be significant given the testicles function best at 1 to 2 degrees Celsius lower than body temperature.This is important because a key role of the scrotum is to keep the temperature of the testicles lower than the temperature of the body. It is because the testicles produce sperm and if they are too warm, they can't produce as much sperm. Besides, the quality of sperm is also low.ALSO READ: Science-Backed Health Benefits of Reading Print BooksElectromagnetic Fields Can Alter DNAAn electromagnetic field (EMF) is an area of invisible energy produced by a combination of electricity and magnetic forces. High-frequency EMFs, such as those from X-rays, are known to increase the risk of cancer by altering the DNA (genetic material) of cells. This has caused concern about other potential effects of EMFs, including how they may affect the quality of sperm.In one such study, scientists exposed semen to Wi-Fi, which is surrounded by low-frequency EMFs. They found the Wi-Fi both damaged the DNA of the sperm contained in the semen and made it less mobile. For sperm to be able to fertilize an egg, it must be able to move quickly and easily. Several other studies have concluded that exposure to Wi-Fi (and EMF) can cause harm to the testicles that in turn may:Lower sperm countChange the size and shape of sperm (morphology)Alter sperm motility (the ability of sperm to swim in the right direction)Damage DNA of spermCause fragments of chromosomes to break off (micronuclei formation)Increase the likelihood of genetic mutations (changes) during cell divisionDisrupt important enzymes and hormonesWhat Are The Signs Of Male Infertility? Male fertility is the ability to reproduce without any medical assistance. The signs are - that pregnancy does not occur even after a year of trying with your partner to have a child. The reasons could vary from a low sperm count, poor sperm quality, erectile dysfunction and lifestyle or dietary habits. Even if not all infertility cases are treatable, certain lifestyle adjustments, dietary changes, and supplements can help improve fertility.ALSO READ: FDA Approves Its First Rapid-Acting Insulin Product For People With Diabetes