Global male sperm count has decreased by over 50% in the past five decades, prompting investigations into potential causes such as pollution, PFAS, obesity, and mobile phone usage. Lifestyle factors like sedentary habits, poor diets, alcohol consumption, and smoking, along with exposure to pesticides, are believed to contribute to this decline.
However, another suspected factor is radiation, particularly from mobile phones. A 2023 study examined 2523 Swiss men aged 18 to 22 to explore this association further.
Link Between Mobile Phone Usage on Semen Quality
After conducting their 2019 national study on semen quality among young Swiss men, researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) have unveiled their largest cross-sectional study on the subject. The study analyzed data from 2886 Swiss men aged 18 to 22, gathered between 2005 and 2018 at six military conscription centers, focusing on the relationship between semen parameters and mobile phone usage habits.
According to Serge Nef, a professor at UNIGE, participants completed detailed questionnaires regarding their lifestyle habits, health status, phone usage frequency, and phone placement when not in use.
The findings revealed a link between frequent phone use and decreased sperm concentration, with those using their phones over 20 times a day exhibiting a 21% decrease in sperm concentration compared to rare users (<1 time/day).
This inverse association was more pronounced in earlier study periods (2005-2007), decreasing over time (2008-2011 and 2012-2018) alongside advancements from 2G to 3G and 4G, which reduced phone transmitting power, as explained by Martin Rӧӧsli from Swiss TPH.
Rita Rahban, a senior researcher at UNIGE, highlighted previous studies' limitations, emphasizing the importance of considering lifestyle information and avoiding selection bias.
The study also explored phone placement's impact on semen parameters, suggesting no significant association. However, due to a limited number of participants reporting not carrying their phones close to their bodies, definitive conclusions were elusive.
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How Mobile Phones Affect Sperm Quality
Electromagnetic waves emitted by devices like mobile phones can be absorbed by nearby tissues, potentially disrupting the natural cycle of sperm cell development and increasing sperm destruction, which could impact fertility by reducing healthy sperm count. However, studies yield conflicting evidence on this matter.
While some studies conducted with animals like rats or human sperm in lab settings suggest that radio waves may interfere with sperm creation, increase sperm death rates, and induce testicular changes, others find no conclusive evidence, as animal models may not perfectly reflect human physiology.
Research on human sperm exposed to radio waves in lab settings indicates increased DNA damage and reduced motility, but the relevance of these findings to real-life phone usage is uncertain.
Additionally, the low participation rate and potential self-selection bias in the study, along with uncertainties regarding generalizability to other regions and the reliability of self-reported data, pose significant limitations that suggest correlation rather than causation between mobile phone use and sperm quality.
The Swiss study on semen quality contributes significantly to understanding male reproductive health globally, necessitating collaboration among various stakeholders for effective solutions. Further research is needed to uncover the specific mechanisms linking mobile phone use to sperm quality before definitive conclusions can be made.
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