Epidemiological study (observational study)

Effects of cell phone use on semen parameters: results from the MARHCS cohort study in Chongqing, China epidem.

By: Zhang G, Yan H, Chen Q, Liu K, Ling X, Sun L, Zhou N, Wang Z, Zou P, Wang X, Tan L, Cui Z, Zhou Z, Liu J, Ao L, Cao J

Published in: Environ Int 2016; 91: 116-121

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Aim of study (acc. to author)

A cohort study was conducted in China to investigate the effects of mobile phone use on sperm quality among students.

Further details

Semen quality was assessed for each participant in 2013, 2014 and 2015 using four parameters (volume, concentration, total count, and motility) according to the criteria of the World Health Organization.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

reproductive effects and pregnancy outcomes: semen parameters

Type of risk estimation:

prevalence

Exposure

- mobile communications
- mobile phone
- personal

Assessment

questionnaire: number of mobile phones owned, 3rd-generation (3G) function, duration of mobile phone use, the position in which they carry the mobile phone, daily duration that the mobile phone is turned on (within the scope of 50 cm near the body), daily duration of internet use (in 2013) or monthly data traffic via cellular networks (in 2014 und 2015), and daily time spent talking on the mobile phone in the last 3 months

Population

Group:
- men
Age: 20–22 years
Characteristics: college students
Observation period: 2013, follow-up 2014 and 2015
Study location: China (Chongqing)
Data source: Male Reproductive Health in Chongqing College Students (MARHCS) study
Exclusion criteria: < 2 or > 7 days of abstinence, a history of inflammation of the urogenital system, epididymitis, testicular injury, incomplete orchiocatabasis or varicocele treatment

Study size

Type	Value
Total	872
Eligible	794

Other:

follow-up: 666 students in 2014 and 568 students in 2015

Statistical analysis method:

linear regression

(adjustment:

age
duration of abstinence, BMI, smoking, alcohol, cola, coffee and fried food consumption

)

Results (acc. to author)

For mobile phone use, the median daily duration of having the phone on was 12.5 h for all three years. The median daily talking durations were 30, 18, and 6 min for 2013, 2014, and 2015, respectively. The daily duration of internet use was 1.5 h in 2013. The monthly data traffic on the cellular network was 0.2 GB and 0.5 GB for 2014 and 2015, respectively.
After adjusting for potential confounders, significant associations between internet use and decreased sperm concentration and total sperm counts in 2013 and decreased semen volume in 2015 were observed. For all three years together, daily duration of talking on the mobile phone was found to be significantly associated with decreased sperm count. No significant association between mobile phone and internet use and sperm motility were observed.
The authors concluded that certain aspects of mobile phone use may negatively affect sperm quality in men by decreasing the semen volume, sperm concentration or sperm count.

Study funded by

China's International Science and Technology (S&T) Cooperation Project
National Natural Science Foundation (NSFC), China

Comments on this article

Mortazavi SAR et al. (2017): Comment on "Effects of cell phone use on semen parameters: Results from the MARHCS cohort study in Chongqing, China"

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