Mobile phone effect on fertility - 'research needed'
More studies are needed into the risks of mobile phones on sperm counts, warn researchers.
According to the BBC, a review of the evidence, by the University of Exeter, suggested sperm number and movement were affected by keeping mobile phones in pockets.
However, one sperm scientist said the evidence was still too sketchy and his phone was staying in his pocket.
The study, published in the journal Environment International, suggested electromagnetic radiation was to blame.
It analysed 10 separate studies on sperm quality involving 1,492 men. These included laboratory tests on sperm exposed to mobile phone radiation and questionnaires of men at fertility clinics.
Lead researcher Dr Fiona Mathews told the BBC that all but one of the studies showed a link between mobile phone exposure and poorer sperm quality.
She added: "The studies are coming out with a consistent message that sperm motility declines with exposure to mobile telephones and similarly proportion which are alive, it's about an eight percentage point fall.
"I think for your average man there's certainly no need to panic, if you already know you have a potential fertility issue then it might be an additional thing to consider - just as you might change your diet - you might want to change where you keep your phone."
She acknowledged criticisms from other scientists about the quality of the evidence saying she "absolutely calls for more research."
Dr Mathews concluded: "This is interesting, but we're obviously not saying that everyone who carries a phone in their pocket is going to become infertile."
How sperm would be damaged by mobile phones is unclear.
Ideas include radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation from the phone disrupting the cycle of sperm production or damaging the DNA. Another suggestion is that heat either directly from the phone or through the radiation, may affect the sperm.
Newsfeed
Videos
Artur Vanetsyan: I think you'll see me more often at various events in future
