Oxford study links extreme heat to fewer male births in Nigeria
New Oxford research reveals extreme heat during pregnancy reduces male births in Nigeria. Temperatures above 20°C during first trimester cause prenatal mortality, especially affecting rural women with lower education and higher birth orders. This pattern differs from India where second trimester heat impacts older mothers and high-parity births. The study shows climate change threatens reproductive health and gender balance, with Nigeria among countries facing sharpest temperature increases. Experts warn maternal healthcare access must improve to mitigate long-term population impacts.