Habits of cell phone usage and sperm quality - does it warrant attention?

Male infertility constitutes 30-40% of all infertility cases. Some studies have shown a continuous decline in semen quality since the beginning of the 20th century. One postulated contributing factor is radio frequency electromagnetic radiation emitted from cell phones. This study investigates an association between characteristics of cell phone usage and semen quality. Questionnaires accessing demographic data and characteristics of cell phone usage were completed by 106 men referred for semen analysis. Results were analysed according to WHO 2010 criteria. Talking for ≥1 h/day and during device charging were associated with higher rates of abnormal semen concentration (60.9% versus 35.7%, P < 0.04 and 66.7% versus 35.6%, P < 0.02, respectively). Among men who reported holding their phones ≤50 cm from the groin, a non-significantly higher rate of abnormal sperm concentration was found (47.1% versus 11.1%). Multivariate analysis revealed that talking while charging the device and smoking were risk factors for abnormal sperm concentration (OR = 4.13 [95% CI 1.28-13.3], P < 0.018 and OR = 3.04 [95% CI 1.14-8.13], P < 0.027, respectively). Our findings suggest that certain aspects of cell phone usage may bear adverse effects on sperm concentration. Investigation using large-scale studies is thus needed.

[Oxidation and female reproduction: the good, the bad and what's between].

Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species constitute an inseparable part of aerobic life on earth. They have been known to science for about 90 years, but only during the last 50 years research in this field has expanded. Initially, scientists focused on the free radicals-induced damage to biological systems. Since the eighties, a new concept has emerged, namely, that alongside the oxidative stress-induced deleterious effect and its association with a variety of diseases, a certain threshold level of oxidation is essential to intracellular signaL transduction. Recently, some data has accumulated regarding the involvement of oxidative processes in various aspects of female reproduction, including ovarian function, fertilization, early development of the embryo and implantation. Nevertheless, there is still a long way before comprehensive and thorough understanding of their role, both at the molecular level and the expression in the clinical setup of fertility patients can be achieved. In this article, we shall address some molecular biochemical processes involved in the activity of free radicals, and review the present knowledge regarding their role in female fertility, including ovarian physiology, follicular and oocyte maturation, development of the early embryo and implantation, as well as their association with reproductive pathologies such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary disease and recurrent pregnancy loss.

Oxidative stress indices in seminal plasma, as measured by the thermochemiluminescence assay, correlate with sperm parameters.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of oxidation of proteins and lipids, as measured by a novel thermochemiluminescence (TCL) analyzer, and to evaluate the correlation between TCL indices in seminal plasma and sperm parameters. DESIGN: Experimental and prospective clinical studies. SETTING: An infertility unit. PATIENT(S): One hundred forty-eight men undergoing semen analysis. INTERVENTION(S): Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and linolenic acid were oxidized and tested by TCL, protein carbonyls, and conjugated dienes assays. All participants underwent semen analysis. Seminal plasma was tested by TCL and conjugated dienes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Thermochemiluminescence indices before and after oxidation of BSA and linolenic acid, compared with protein carbonyl and conjugated dienes indices. Correlation between semen parameters and TCL and conjugated dienes indices in seminal plasma. RESULT(S): Oxidation of BSA and linolenic acid was marked by characteristic changes in their TCL curve pattern and an increase in the levels of protein carbonyls and conjugated dienes. Among 125 sperm-containing semen samples, the TCL curve exhibited two patterns: a positive relative ratio curve (group A, 87 patients) and a negative relative ratio curve (group B, 38 patients). Sperm concentration was lower and total motile sperm and rapid motile sperm were fewer in group B. A significant correlation was found between TCL indices, conjugated dienes, and sperm quality in group B. CONCLUSION(S): Oxidation affects TCL curve pattern of proteins and lipids in a characteristic manner. Thermochemiluminescence indices in seminal plasma closely correlate with sperm characteristics among patients with sperm disturbances, and it might serve as a tool in the evaluation, treatment, and monitoring of subfertile men.