Does Cell Phone Use Lower Sperm Counts and Impair Male Fertility?

Cell phones — used today by 700 million people worldwide — remain wildly popular despite reports that the emitted radiofrequency electromagnetic waves could have detrimental effects on bodily systems. In a study conducted at a fertility clinic in Ohio, investigators assessed the effects of cell phone use on several sperm parameters in 361 men who were undergoing infertility evaluations. Men with known chronic conditions that might be associated with impaired spermatogenesis were excluded.

The men were divided into four groups based on reported daily active cell phone use: no use; <2 hours; 2–4 hours; and >4 hours. Multivariate analysis revealed that mean sperm count, motility, viability, and normal morphology differed among the four groups, …