What the research data of the University of Geneva shows
Frequent mobile phone use by men may be linked to lower sperm concentration and total sperm count, according to new research, which however found no association between mobile phone use and low motility (movement) and morphology (shape). of sperm.
Researchers at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) analyzed data from 2,886 Swiss men aged 18 to 22, who were recruited between 2005 and 2018. They found that sperm concentration was significantly higher in the group of men who did not use their phone more than once times a week (56.5 million per milliliter), compared to men who used their phone more than 20 times a day (44.5 million per milliliter).
According to the study, this difference corresponds to a 21% reduction in sperm concentration for frequent users, meaning those who used their phones more than 20 times a day, compared to infrequent users, meaning those who used their phones them less than once or once a day.
Previous studies have shown that sperm quality has declined over the past 50 years. A combination of environmental factors (pesticides, radiation) and lifestyle habits (diet, alcohol, stress, smoking) are thought to contribute to this.
The findings also showed that 4G may be less harmful than 2G. “This trend corresponds to the transition from 2G to 3G and then from 3G to 4G which led to a decrease in the transmission power of phones,” explained Martin Rusli, associate professor at the Swiss Institute of Tropical and Public Health (Swiss TPH).
“Previous studies assessing the relationship between mobile phone use and sperm quality were conducted in relatively small numbers of individuals, did not take into account lifestyle information and were subject to selection bias as they were recruited from IVF clinics,” said Rita Raban, senior researcher at the Department of Genetic Medicine and Development at the UNIGE School of Medicine and the Swiss Center for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT) and co-leader of the study. “This led to unclear results,” he added.
The research, which was conducted in collaboration with the Swiss Institute of Tropical and Public Health (Swiss TPH), also shows that where the phone is kept – such as trouser pockets – is not associated with lower levels of concentration and measurement. However, the number of people who said they kept their phone close to their body was too small to draw a safe conclusion.
Despite the findings of the study, which were published in the scientific journal Fertility and Sterility, experts say there is no cause for concern. “This is an exciting new study that should not cause alarm or drastic changes in habits. Men who want to conceive or want to improve their sperm health should exercise (but not overheat in the groin area), eat a balanced diet, maintain a healthy weight, avoid smoking, limit alcohol and to seek help if they are having trouble conceiving,” explained Alison Campbell, chief scientific officer at Care Fertility Group.
