Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Scientists are confused about the cause of the decline in male sperm count in the world. It is reported that men’s sperm count has decreased by more than 50 percent globally in the last 50 years.
However, it turns out that cellphones (HP) are one of the causes.
A new study explored the role of cellphones and found that men aged 18 to 22 who said they used cellphones more than 20 times a day had a 21% higher risk of low overall sperm count.
Men also have a 30 percent higher risk of low sperm concentration, a less important measure of the number of sperm in one milliliter of semen.
The study did not specify whether the men called or sent SMS or used their cellphones to do both.
The researchers found that as cellphone technology advanced over 13 years of research, its impact on sperm count began to decrease.
“I was intrigued by the observation that the greatest effect seemed to be seen on older 2G and 3G phones compared with modern 4G and 5G versions. This is not something I can explain,” said Allan Pacey, vice president and deputy dean of the college of biology, medicine and health at the University of Manchester in England, quoted from CNNFriday (3/11/2023).
It cannot be denied that cellphones have become an inseparable part of our lives. However, cell phones emit low levels of radio frequency electromagnetic fields, or RF-EMF.
If the phone emits maximum power, the surrounding tissue can heat up to 0.5 degrees Celsius.
“Cell phones are constantly sending and receiving signals and they will receive and send stronger signals as they are used,” says Dr. Alexander Pastuszak, assistant professor of surgery and urology at the University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City.
However, on modern cellphones, the signal will vary depending on whether the user is talking or sending data.
According to the California Department of Public Health, radio frequency electromagnetic fields are greatly reduced when texting and highest when downloading large files, streaming audio or video, when only one or two bars are displayed, and when in a moving bus, car, or train .
The agency recommends keeping cellphones away from the body and head, and placing cellphones in a backpack or bag.
Whether the field can actually harm male fertility has been a source of controversy and debate for years among scientists.
Research in mice found that RF-EMF fields at levels similar to those of cell phones did decrease male fertility and contributed to sperm death and changes in testicular tissue.
However, studies in other animals have not replicated these effects, and there are big differences between humans and mice in how sperm is made.
Observational studies in humans also found that frequent cell phone use was associated with reduced sperm viability and had an impact on the way sperm swim.
However, the study was small and brief. And they don’t necessarily control for other factors like smoking and alcohol consumption, so many scientists don’t believe it.
“I have been asked many times over the last decade whether there is a link between cell phones and male fertility. However, I am still not convinced by the data published to date.” Pacey explained.
[Gambas:Video CNBC]
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