The effect of cell phone usage on semen quality and fertility among Jordanian males

2017 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 2291

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2017

Study typecross_sectional

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The effect of cell phone usage on semen quality and fertility among Jordanian males Nahla Al-Bayyari. Middle East Fertility Society Journal. The effect of cell phone usage on semen quality and fertility among Jordanian males. Published online Apr 7, 2017. doi.org Abstract Background and objective Cell phones emit radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation are prejudicial to human fertility. The objective was to study the effect of cell phone usage on semen quality and men's fertility. Materials and methods A cross-sectional observational study conducted on 159 men attending infertility clinics at North, Middle and South Governorates in Jordan and undergoing infertility evaluation were divided into two groups according to their active cell phone use: group A: ≤1 h/day and group B: >1 h/day. No interventions were given to patients and semen samples were collected by masturbation in a sterile container after an abstinence period of 5 days. The main outcome measures were sperm volume, liquefaction time, pH, viscosity, count, motility and morphology. Results There were no statistical significance differences (p > 0.05) between both groups regarding sperm quality parameters according to cell phone use, but there were statistical differences in the frequencies of sperm concentration, volume, viscosity, liquefaction time and means of immotile sperms and abnormal morphology. In addition, time spend on watching television and using wireless phones were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) associated with decreasing mean percentages of normal morphology. The distance from telecommunication tower was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) associated with decreasing sperms volume. Meanwhile, the time spend on sending or receiving messages was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) associated with decreasing sperms count and carrying mobile phone in trouser pocket was significantly associated with increasing means of immotile sperms. Conclusion Cell phone use might have a negative effect on semen quality parameters and further research is needed. sciencedirect.com Also see: Effect of Mobile Phones on Sperm Quality

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typecross_sectional

Effect directionmixed

PopulationMen attending infertility clinics in North, Middle and South Governorates in Jordan undergoing infertility evaluation

Sample size159

ExposureRF · Active cell phone use: ≤1 h/day vs >1 h/day; also assessed texting time, carrying phone in trouser pocket, wireless phone use, distance from telecommunication tower

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Between groups defined by active cell phone use (≤1 h/day vs >1 h/day), no statistically significant differences were reported for sperm quality parameters overall (p>0.05). However, some specific measures/associations were reported as statistically significant: texting time was associated with decreased sperm count; carrying a mobile phone in a trouser pocket was associated with increased immotile sperm; wireless phone use and television time were associated with decreased normal morphology; and distance from a telecommunication tower was associated with decreased semen volume (all p≤0.05 as reported).

Outcomes measured

Semen volume
Liquefaction time
pH
Viscosity
Sperm count
Sperm motility
Sperm morphology
Sperm concentration

Limitations

Cross-sectional observational design
Participants were men attending infertility clinics (may limit generalizability)
Exposure characterization based on self-reported usage categories and behaviors (as described)
No intervention; potential confounding not described in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "cross_sectional",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Active cell phone use: ≤1 h/day vs >1 h/day; also assessed texting time, carrying phone in trouser pocket, wireless phone use, distance from telecommunication tower"
  },
  "population": "Men attending infertility clinics in North, Middle and South Governorates in Jordan undergoing infertility evaluation",
  "sample_size": 159,
  "outcomes": [
    "Semen volume",
    "Liquefaction time",
    "pH",
    "Viscosity",
    "Sperm count",
    "Sperm motility",
    "Sperm morphology",
    "Sperm concentration"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Between groups defined by active cell phone use (≤1 h/day vs >1 h/day), no statistically significant differences were reported for sperm quality parameters overall (p>0.05). However, some specific measures/associations were reported as statistically significant: texting time was associated with decreased sperm count; carrying a mobile phone in a trouser pocket was associated with increased immotile sperm; wireless phone use and television time were associated with decreased normal morphology; and distance from a telecommunication tower was associated with decreased semen volume (all p≤0.05 as reported).",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Cross-sectional observational design",
    "Participants were men attending infertility clinics (may limit generalizability)",
    "Exposure characterization based on self-reported usage categories and behaviors (as described)",
    "No intervention; potential confounding not described in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "cell phone",
    "mobile phone",
    "radiofrequency",
    "semen quality",
    "fertility",
    "sperm count",
    "motility",
    "morphology",
    "Jordan",
    "telecommunication tower",
    "wireless phone"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.1,
      "reason": "Study involves exposure assessment in a clinical population; not clearly occupational but includes behavioral exposure factors."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/j.mefs.2017.03.006
PubMed: Not supplied

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