by A recent study conducted by the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) has revealed a link between frequent mobile phone use and lower semen quality in young men. While environmental and lifestyle factors have been previously proposed as potential contributors to the decline in semen quality, the impact of mobile phone use had not been fully explored until now.
The study, which was published in Fertility & Sterility, examined the semen quality of 2886 Swiss men between the ages of 18 and 22. The participants were recruited between 2005 and 2018 at six military conscription centres and provided information on their mobile phone usage habits. The research team found that men who used their phones more frequently had lower sperm concentration and total sperm count. However, no significant association was found between mobile phone use and sperm motility or morphology.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a sperm concentration below 15 million per milliliter makes it more challenging for a man to conceive within a year. Furthermore, a sperm concentration below 40 million per milliliter decreases the chances of pregnancy.
Over the past fifty years, studies have shown a decline in semen quality, with the average sperm count dropping from 99 million per milliliter to 47 million per milliliter. This decline is believed to be the result of a combination of environmental factors such as endocrine disruptors, radiation, and pesticides, as well as lifestyle habits including diet, stress, alcohol consumption, and smoking.
The study also examined the impact of different mobile phone generations on semen quality. The researchers found that the inverse association between mobile phone use and sperm concentration was more pronounced during the period when 2G technology was prevalent. As mobile phone technology transitioned to 3G and then 4G, with a decrease in transmitting power, the impact on semen quality decreased.
Interestingly, the study did not find a significant correlation between the placement of the phone, such as in a trouser pocket, and semen parameters. However, due to the small number of participants who reported not carrying their phone close to their body, more research is needed to draw conclusive results on this specific aspect.
It is important to note that the study relied on self-reported data, which is a limitation of most epidemiologic studies investigating the effects of mobile phone use on semen quality. To address this, a future study funded by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) aims to directly measure exposure to electromagnetic waves and assess their impact on male reproductive health. The study will also explore the mechanism behind these observations, including the potential effect of microwave emissions on testes temperature and hormonal regulation of sperm production. Participants will use a mobile phone application to collect data for the study, and the research team is actively seeking participants.
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- Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
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