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Effects of
cell phone use on semen parameters: Results from the MARHCS cohort study in
Chongqing, China
Guowei Zhanga, Huan Yana, Qing Chena, Kaijun Liua, Xi Linga, Lei Suna, Niya Zhoua, Zhi Wanga, Peng Zoua, Xiaogang Wanga, Lu Tana, Zhihong Cuia, Ziyuan Zhoub, Jinyi Liua, Lin Aoa, , , Jia Caoa, ,
a Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Third
Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
b Department of Environmental Health, College of Preventive Medicine,
Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
Received 27 November 2015,
Revised 24 February 2016, Accepted 25 February 2016, Available online 4 March
2016
Highlights
- Certain aspects of cell phone use negatively affect semen quality.
- Internet use via cellular networks has become an important risk to semen quality.
- The use of 3G or more advanced networks might have less damage to human sperm.
- Recruiting subjects from a general population makes the study typical and relevant.
Abstract
Epidemiological and experimental evidence for
detrimental effects of cell phone use on semen quality is still equivocal. And
that recruiting participants from infertility clinic not from general
population may raise the possibility of a selection bias. To investigate
effects of cell phone use on semen parameters in a general population,We
screened and documented the cell phone use information of 794 young men from
the Male Reproductive Health in Chongqing College students (MARHCS) cohort
study in 2013, followed by 666 and 568 in 2014 and 2015, respectively. In the
univariate regression analyses, we found that the daily duration of talking on
the cell phone was significantly associated with decreased semen parameters,
including sperm concentration [β coefficient = − 6.32% per unit
daily duration of talking on the cell phone (h); 95% confidence interval (CI),
− 11.94, − 0.34] and total sperm count (− 8.23; 95% CI,
− 14.38, − 1.63) in 2013; semen volume (− 8.37; 95% CI,
− 15.93, − 0.13) and total sperm count (− 16.59; 95% CI,
− 29.91, − 0.73) in 2015]. Internet use via cellular networks was
also associated with decreased sperm concentration and total sperm counts in
2013 and decreased semen volume in 2015. Multivariate analyses were used to
adjust for the effects of potential confounders, and significant negative
associations between internet use and semen parameters remained. Consistent but
nonsignificant negative associations between talking on the cell phone and
semen parameters persisted throughout the three study years, and the negative
association was statistically significant in a mixed model that considered all
three years of data on talking on the cell phone and semen quality. Our results
showed that certain aspects of cell phone use may negatively affect sperm
quality in men by decreasing the semen volume, sperm concentration, or sperm
count, thus impairing male fertility.
Abbreviations
- MARHCS, the male reproductive health in Chongqing College students;
- RF-EMWs,radiofrequency electromagnetic waves;
- CASA, computer-aided sperm analysis;
- NP,nonprogressive;
- IM, immotility;
- SAR, specific absorption rate
