Study type: Medical/biological study (observational study)

The semen quality of the mobile phone users med./bio.

Published in: J Endocrinol Invest 2013; 36 (11): 970-974

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of mobile phone usage of men on semen quality, dimensions of semen-producing organs and the levels of some sex hormones in the blood should be investigated.

Background/further details

63 healthy and fertile men were divided into 4 groups, according to their daily usage time of the mobile phone (via questionnaire): 1) no mobile phone use (n=10), 2) <2 h/day (n=16), 3) 2-4 h/day (n=17) 4) >4 h/day (n=20). Group 4) was further subdivided into 4a) "trousers users" (n=12) and 4b) "shirt users" (n=8). Trousers users were considered the men who usually carry the phone in the pocket of the pants. Shirt users were considered the men who usually carry the phone in the pocket of the shirt.
Two semen samples from each subject were examined in the tests on semen quality.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 850–2,100 MHz
Exposure duration: <2 hours/day mobile phone usage
group 2
-
Exposure 2: 850–2,100 MHz
Exposure duration: 2-4 hours/day mobile phone usage
group 3
-
Exposure 3: 850–2,100 MHz
Exposure duration: >4 hours/day mobile phone usage
groups 4a and 4b
-

General information

all the examined subjects had used the same mobile phone device [UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz)] during the year before the study and reported that the device had been turned on 24 h of the day (data obtained by questionnaire)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 850–2,100 MHz
Type
Exposure duration <2 hours/day mobile phone usage
Additional info group 2
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters

No parameters are specified for this exposure.

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 850–2,100 MHz
Type
Exposure duration 2-4 hours/day mobile phone usage
Additional info group 3
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters

No parameters are specified for this exposure.

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 850–2,100 MHz
Type
Exposure duration >4 hours/day mobile phone usage
Additional info groups 4a and 4b
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters

No parameters are specified for this exposure.

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

None of the examined parameters showed significant differences between the groups except for DNA fragmentation in sperms. This was significantly increased in group 4 (>4 h mobile phone usage/day) compared to the other groups. Moreover, it was significantly increased in the sub-group 4a) "trousers users" compared to the sub-group 4b) "shirt users" within group 4.
The authors conclude that mobile phone use of more than 4 h/day, in particular if the device is carried in the pocket of the trousers, might result in DNA damage in sperms.

Study character:

Study funded by

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