Agarwal A et al. (2008) Effect of cell phone usage on semen analysis in men attending infertility clinic: an observational study. Fertil Steril 89: 124–128

There have been many reports that radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation, such as that emitted by cell phones, can have adverse effects on the brain, heart, endocrine system, and tumorigenesis. Electromagnetic radiation reduces sperm motility, but the association between cell phone use and semen quality remains unclear. Agarwal and colleagues carried out an observational study to investigate the effects of cell phone use in 361 men (mean ± SD age 31.81 ± 6.12 years) who were assessed for infertility at a male-infertility clinic.

The men were grouped according to their self-reported daily cell phone usage (talk time): 40 men reported no use; 107 men reported <2 h of use; 100 men reported 2–4 h of use; and 114 men reported >4 h of use. Semen analysis was performed according to WHO guidelines. The authors reported an inverse correlation between daily cell phone usage and semen quality (sperm count, motility, viability and normal morphology; all P <0.001). In clinical practice, patients are usually classified as having either a 'normal' or 'abnormal' sperm count; however, the correlation between increasing cell phone use and decreasing semen quality persisted in both oligospermic and normospermic men. The authors conclude that the deleterious effects of cell phone use on semen parameters might not depend on initial semen quality.

Agarwal and colleagues note that electromagnetic radiation might disrupt spermatogenesis via thermal effects, direct effects of electromagnetic radiation on tissues or DNA, or a combination of these factors. Follow-up studies are planned, to establish a causal relationship.