Frequent mobile phone use may have implications on semen quality, according to a comprehensive study conducted by the University of Geneva (UNIGE) in collaboration with the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH).
Decrease in Sperm Concentration
According to MedicalXpress, the research, which analyzed data from 2,886 Swiss men aged 18 to 22 from 2005 to 2018, revealed an association between high mobile phone usage and reduced sperm concentration.
Specifically, the study found that individuals using their phones more than 20 times a day demonstrated a 21% decrease in sperm concentration compared to those who used their phones less rarely.
This picture taken on September 28, 2022 shows a member of staff monitoring the movement of donor sperm at Keio University Hospital in Tokyo. - For decades, anonymous sperm donation has existed in a legal grey zone in Japan, with no law explicitly prohibiting it, but no framework to govern it either.
Serge Nef, a full professor in the Department of Genetic Medicine and Development at UNIGE, co-directed the study and explained that participants provided detailed information about their lifestyle habits, general health, and mobile phone usage frequency.
The findings indicated that the median sperm concentration was notably higher among individuals who used their phones infrequently (56.5 million/mL) compared to frequent users (44.5 million/mL).
This decline in sperm concentration was observed primarily in the earlier study period (2005-2007) and diminished over time, correlating with the shift from 2G to 3G and subsequently from 3G to 4G technologies, which led to reduced phone transmitting power.
Impact of Mobile Phone Use on Semen Quality
Rita Rahban, senior researcher and teaching assistant in the Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, emphasized that previous studies in this domain were limited by small sample sizes and lacked comprehensive lifestyle information.
Consequently, this new research offers significant insights into the potential impact of mobile phone use on semen quality. However, it is important to note that this study relied on self-reported data, which introduces a potential limitation.
The reported frequency of mobile phone use was assumed to provide an accurate estimate of electromagnetic radiation exposure. In light of this limitation, a new study is underway this year to directly measure electromagnetic wave exposure and assess its impact on male reproductive health.
Participants will use a dedicated application to collect this data, aiming for a more accurate understanding of the relationship between mobile phone use and semen quality.
Additionally, the study intends to delve into the underlying mechanisms at play, exploring questions such as whether mobile phone microwaves have a direct or indirect effect, their potential to elevate testes temperature, and their impact on hormonal regulation of sperm production.
The team is seeking participants for this study, which aims to expand our understanding of this critical issue. The implications of this research are significant, suggesting a potential connection between frequent mobile phone use and semen quality, a finding that warrants further investigation.
The study's findings were published in the journal Fertility and Sterility.
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