Evaluation of the effect of using mobile phones on male fertility

Wdowiak A, Wdowiak L, Wiktor H

Ann Agric Environ Med. 14(1):169-172, 2007

The problem of the lack of offspring is a phenomenon concerning approximately 15% of married couples in Poland. Infertility is defined as inability to conceive after a year of sexual intercourses without the use of contraceptives. In half of the cases the causative factor is the male. Males are exposed to the effect of various environmental factors, which may decrease their reproductive capabilities.

A decrease in male fertility is a phenomenon which occurs within years, which may suggest that one of the reasons for the decrease in semen parameters is the effect of the development of techniques in the surrounding environment. A hazardous effect on male fertility may be manifested by a decrease in the amount of sperm cells, disorders in their mobility, as well as structure. The causative agents may be chemical substances, ionizing radiation, stress, as well as electromagnetic waves.

The objective of the study was the determination of the effect of the usage of cellular phones on the fertility of males subjected to marital infertility therapy. The following groups were selected from among 304 males covered by the study:

• Group A: 99 patients who did not use mobile phones,
• Group B: 157 males who have used GSM equipment sporadically for the period of 1-2 years, and
• Group C: 48 people who have been regularly using mobile phone for more than 2 years.