Are Mobile Phones Affecting Male Fertility?
A 10-year study conducted by researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) probes the impact of mobile phone use on the semen quality of young men over a decade. The study aimed to determine whether electromagnetic radiation emitted by mobile phones affects semen quality.
The study underscored the decline in semen quality, as measured by parameters such as sperm concentration, total sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm morphology, over the past 50 years. The average sperm count has decreased from 99 million sperm per milliliter to 47 million per milliliter. This decline is attributed to a combination of environmental factors, including endocrine disruptors, pesticides, and radiation, as well as lifestyle habits such as diet, alcohol consumption, stress, and smoking.
However, the research focused on the impact of mobile phones on this concern. The study involved data from 2,886 Swiss men aged 18 to 22, recruited between 2005 and 2018 at six military conscription centers.
The study revealed an association between frequent mobile phone use and lower sperm concentration. Men who used their phones more than 20 times a day had a 21% lower sperm concentration compared to those who used their phones less frequently (less than once a week). However, no association was found between mobile phone use and sperm motility and morphology.
The inverse association between mobile phone use and sperm concentration was more pronounced in the earlier study period (2005-2007) and decreased over time (2008-2011 and 2012-2018). This trend was attributed to the transition from 2G to 3G and then from 3G to 4G, leading to a reduction in phone transmitting power.
The study authors noted that the research relied on self-reported data, which may have limitations in accurately assessing exposure to electromagnetic radiation. The position of the phone (e.g., in a trouser pocket) was not conclusively associated with lower semen parameters due to a small number of participants who did not carry their phones close to their bodies.
To address these limitations, a study funded by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) is planned for 2023. It aims to directly measure exposure to electromagnetic waves and assess their impact on male reproductive health and fertility. This will be achieved through an application that participants will download to their mobile phones.
Moreover, further research is needed to understand the mechanism behind the observed impact of mobile phone use on semen quality, including whether microwave emissions have a direct or indirect effect, affect testes temperature, or influence the hormonal regulation of sperm production.
Source: UNIGE
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