Epidemiological study (observational study)

Self-reported mobile phone use and semen parameters among men from a fertility clinic epidem.

By: Lewis RC, Minguez-Alarcon L, Meeker JD, Williams PL, Mezei G, Ford JB, Hauser R

Published in: Reprod Toxicol 2017; 67: 42-47

Aim of study (acc. to author)

A cohort study was conducted in the USA to examine the potential association between self-reported mobile phone use patterns and semen quality in multiple samples among men.

Further details

Semen quality was assessed using four parameters (volume, concentration, sperm motility and morphology) according to the criteria of the World Health Organization.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

reproductive effects and pregnancy outcomes: sperm quality

Exposure

- mobile communications
- mobile phone

Assessment

questionnaire: mobile phone use patterns during the past three months: duration of use, headset or earpiece use, location in which the mobile phone was carried (pants pocket, belt, bag, other)

Exposure groups

Group	Description
Reference group 1	mobile phone use: no
Group 2	mobile phone use: yes
Reference group 3	mobile phone use: no
Group 4	mobile phone use: with headset/earpiece
Group 5	mobile phone use: without headset/earpiece
Reference group 6	duration of use: no use
Group 7	duration of use: < 2 hours/day
Group 8	duration of use: ≥ 2 hours/day
Reference group 9	duration of use: no use
Group 10	duration of use: < 2 hours/day with headset/earpiece
Group 11	duration of use: < 2 hours/day without headset/earpiece
Group 12	duration of use: ≥ 2 hours/day with headset/earpiece
Group 13	duration of use: ≥ 2 hours/day without headset/earpiece
Reference group 14	location of carrying: no use
Group 15	location of carrying: pants pocket
Group 16	location of carrying: other

Population

Group:
- men
Age: 18–56 years
Observation period: 2014 - 2015
Study location: USA (Boston)
Data source: Environment and Reproductive Health (EARTH) Study
Exclusion criteria: vasectomy

Study size

Type	Value
Total	384
Participants	162
Evaluable	153

Other:

67 men provided 1 semen sample, 43 men provided 2 semen samples and 43 men provided 3 or more semen samples

Statistical analysis method:

linear mixed-effects models

(adjustment:

ethnicity, BMI and abstinence time

)

Results (acc. to author)

While there were some statistically significant findings, overall, no consistent pattern or exposure-response relationship was observed between mobile phone use and semen volume, total sperm count, sperm concentration, total motility or morphology.
The authors concluded that overall, there was no evidence for an association between mobile phone use and semen quality.

Study funded by

Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), USA
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences/National Institute of Health (NIEHS/NIH), USA

Comments on this article

Mortazavi SMJ et al. (2017): Self-reported mobile phone use and semen parameters among men from a fertility clinic
Lewis RC et al. (2017): Response to correspondence by Mortazavi et al. re: "Self-reported mobile phone use and semen parameters among men from a fertility clinic"

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