Combined effects of varicocele and cell phones on semen and hormonal parameters

2017 · Mixed · Low evidence

← Research stream

MixedLow evidencePaper 2316

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2017

Study typecohort

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Combined effects of varicocele and cell phones on semen and hormonal parameters Schauer I, Mohamad Al-Ali B. Combined effects of varicocele and cell phones on semen and hormonal parameters. Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2017 Oct 13. doi: 10.1007/s00508-017-1277-9. Abstract BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate if there is a combined effect of varicocele and cell phone storage in trousers pockets on semen and hormonal parameters. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 468 men attending an infertility clinic from 1993-2007 was performed. Varicoceles were determined by clinical examination and patients were questioned on cell phone usage and storage fashion. Semen samples were analyzed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines of 1999. Serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were assessed. RESULTS: There was a significant effect of cell phone storage in trousers pockets and varicocele in multivariate analysis (both p < 0.001). Varicocele showed an effect on sperm concentration (p = 0.003), LH (p = 0.014) and testosterone (p = 0.003). Compared to grade 1, grade 2 varicoceles showed a difference in sperm concentration (p = 0.004). Regarding testosterone differences were shown for grade 3 versus grade 1 (p = 0.002) and grade 3 compared to grade 2 (p = 0.003). Cell phone storage in trousers pockets showed an influence on the percentage of normal sperm morphology and LH (both p < 0.001). Varicocele and cell phone storage in trousers pockets did not show a combined effect (p = 0.76). CONCLUSIONS: This analysis showed an inverse relation between sperm concentration and degree of varicocele, with lower concentrations in higher grade varicoceles. Testosterone was significantly higher in higher grade varicoceles, which could reflect a compensatory mechanism to the impaired testicular function. Cell phone storage in trousers pockets showed an effect on LH and sperm morphology. A combined effect of varicocele and cell phone storage in trousers pockets was not detected. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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 typecohort

Effect directionmixed

PopulationMen attending an infertility clinic (1993–2007)

Sample size468

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In multivariate analysis, both varicocele and cell phone storage in trousers pockets showed significant effects (p<0.001). Varicocele was associated with sperm concentration (p=0.003), LH (p=0.014), and testosterone (p=0.003), while cell phone storage in trousers pockets was associated with % normal sperm morphology and LH (both p<0.001). No combined (interaction) effect of varicocele and trouser-pocket phone storage was detected (p=0.76).

Outcomes measured

Semen parameters (including sperm concentration and % normal sperm morphology)
Serum testosterone
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)

Limitations

Retrospective analysis
Cell phone usage/storage assessed by questioning (self-report)
Clinic-based infertility population (generalizability may be limited)
No EMF exposure metrics reported (e.g., frequency, SAR, call time)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "cohort",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Men attending an infertility clinic (1993–2007)",
  "sample_size": 468,
  "outcomes": [
    "Semen parameters (including sperm concentration and % normal sperm morphology)",
    "Serum testosterone",
    "Luteinizing hormone (LH)",
    "Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In multivariate analysis, both varicocele and cell phone storage in trousers pockets showed significant effects (p<0.001). Varicocele was associated with sperm concentration (p=0.003), LH (p=0.014), and testosterone (p=0.003), while cell phone storage in trousers pockets was associated with % normal sperm morphology and LH (both p<0.001). No combined (interaction) effect of varicocele and trouser-pocket phone storage was detected (p=0.76).",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Retrospective analysis",
    "Cell phone usage/storage assessed by questioning (self-report)",
    "Clinic-based infertility population (generalizability may be limited)",
    "No EMF exposure metrics reported (e.g., frequency, SAR, call time)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "varicocele",
    "mobile phone",
    "cell phone storage",
    "trousers pockets",
    "semen parameters",
    "sperm concentration",
    "sperm morphology",
    "testosterone",
    "LH",
    "FSH",
    "infertility clinic"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phones",
      "weight": 0.85,
      "reason": "Assesses associations between cell phone storage in trouser pockets and semen/hormonal parameters."
    }
  ]
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

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: 10.1007/s00508-017-1277-9
PubMed: Not supplied

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library