Men who spend a lot of time on their cell phones may want to think twice, especially if they’re planning to have children someday.
According to a Canadian study at Queen’s University, researchers have found that while cell phone use appears to increase the level of testosterone circulating in the body, it may also lead to low sperm quality and a decrease in fertility.
Researchers hypothesize that electromagnetic waves (EMW) emitted by cell phones may have a dual action on male hormone levels and fertility.
The research team discovered that men who reported cell phone use had higher levels of circulating testosterone but also had lower levels of luteinizing hormone – an important reproductive hormone secreted by the pituitary gland in the brain – the more active, potent form of testosterone associated with sperm production and fertility.
“Our findings were a little bit puzzling,” said Rany Shamloul, lead researcher in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. “We were expecting to find different results, but the results we did find suggest that there could be some intriguing mechanisms at work.”
More in-depth research is needed to determine the exact ways in which EMW affects male fertility.