Self-reported mobile phone use and semen parameters among men from a fertility clinic

Authors: Lewis RC, Mínguez-Alarcón L, Meeker JD, Williams PL, Mezei G, Ford JB, Hauser R; EARTH Study Team

Year: 2016 Nov 9

Category: Reproductive Toxicology

Journal: Reproductive Toxicology

Institution: Academic fertility clinic in Boston, Massachusetts

DOI: S0890-6238(16)30408-7

URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27838386

Abstract

Overview

There is increasing concern that the usage of mobile phones, which emit low-level radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs), could be negatively impacting semen quality. However, studies looking into this potential correlation have yielded varied and sometimes contradictory results.

Findings

This longitudinal cohort study included 153 men attending an academic fertility clinic in Boston, Massachusetts. The study aimed to explore any association between various patterns of mobile phone use and semen quality. The following details were collected through nurse-administered questionnaires:

  • Duration of mobile phone use
  • Usage of headset or earpiece
  • Location on the body where the mobile phone was typically carried

A total of 350 semen samples were collected and analyzed on-site. Linear mixed models with random intercepts were utilized to manage multiple samples per participant and investigate any potential associations.

Conclusion

The research found no evidence of an association between mobile phone usage and compromised semen quality. Despite the concerns around RF-EMFs emitted by mobile phones, the results from this specific cohort did not support a link to reduced semen parameters.

mobile phone use semen quality radio-frequency electromagnetic fields fertility clinic epidemiology
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