Impact of cell phone use on men's semen parameters

• Published in: Andrologia Vol. 43; no. 5; pp. 312 - 316
• Main Authors: Gutschi, T., Mohamad Al-Ali, B., Shamloul, R., Pummer, K., Trummer, H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.10.2011
• Subjects: Adult; Cell Phone; Follicle stimulating hormone; Follicle Stimulating Hormone - blood; Humans; luteinising hormone; Luteinizing Hormone - blood; Male; Prolactin - blood; prolactine; radiofrequency electromagnetic waves; Semen; testosterone; Testosterone - blood
• ISSN: 0303-4569; 1439-0272; 1439-0272
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0272.2011.01075.x

Summary The objective of the present retrospective study was to report our experience concerning the effects of cell phone usage on semen parameters. We examined 2110 men attending our infertility clinic from 1993 to October 2007. Semen analysis was performed in all patients. Serum free testosterone (T), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH) and prolactin (PRL) were collected from all patients. The information on cell phone use of the patients was recorded and the subjects were divided into two groups according to their cell phone use: group A: cell phone use (n = 991); group B: no use (n = 1119). Significant difference was observed in sperm morphology between the two groups. In the patients of group A, 68.0% of the spermatozoa featured a pathological morphology compared to only 58.1% in the subjects of group B. Patients with cell phone usage showed significantly higher T and lower LH levels than those who did not use cell phone. No significant difference between the two groups was observed regarding FSH and PRL values. Our results showed that cell phone use negatively affects sperm quality in men. Further studies with a careful design are needed to determine the effect of cell phone use on male fertility.