Laptops damage sperm? What wi-fi study shows
istockphoto
(CBS) Do laptops reduce men's fertility? There's some evidence that heat from laptops can interfere with sperm production, and now a new study links the electromagnetic radiation emitted by wi-fi-enabled laptops to sperm damage.
PICTURES - Sperm: 15 crazy things you should know
For the study - published in the journal Fertility and Sterility - researchers in Argentina obtained semen from 29 healthy men and measured sperm cells' swimming ability after being exposed to wi-fi radiation from an Internet-connected laptop.
After four hours of exposure, one-quarter of the sperm were no longer swimming, Reuters reported. In comparison, 14 percent of sperm cells that had been kept at the same temperature but not exposed to wi-fi were no longer swimming. What's more, DNA damage was more common in the wi-fi sperm than in the "control" sperm.
The researchers offered a blunt assessment of their finding, writing in the study's conclusion that "We speculate that keeping a laptop connected wirelessly to the internet on the lap near the testes may result in decreased male fertility."
But other experts weren't so sure.
"This is not real-life biology," Dr. Robert Oates, president of the Society for Male Reproduction and Urology, told Reuters. "This is a completely artificial setting. It's is scientifically interesting, but to me it doesn't have any human biological relevance."
The researchers called for more research to prove their speculation, adding that it wasn't clear that the sperm damage would be seen with all laptops.
One thing's for certain - infertility is a common problem. About 15 percent of couples are infertile, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians, and roughly one-third of the time the problem lies solely with the man.
Doctors have identified numerous potential causes of male infertility. These include infections, hormone imbalances, smoking, vitamin deficiency, and certain medications. Many cases are associated with varicocele, a surgically correctable condition in which blood vessels in the scrotum impair sperm production by raising the temperature of the testicles.
The Mayo Clinic has more on male infertility.
Popular in Health
- Flesh-eating disease victim gets bionic hands
- Handbags may contain more germs than average toilet flush
- Skin cancer self-exam: What to look for (PHOTOS)
- Controversial update to psychiatry manual, DSM-5, arrives
- Handbags have more germs than toilet seats, study finds Play Video
- Doctor: Gel manicures a potential skin cancer risk
- Shocking study: Math skills improved by electric stimulus
- CDC: One in five U.S. kids has mental health disorder
When I got my first Notebook I used it on my lap offline to write my letters etc. I wore jeans. I had to find something to sit the computer on to get it off my lap when I must use it on my lap.The heat was the reason. I feel the bottom to see where the warm spots are. Keep in mind yer/we are using a portable PC . I can put my 09 Notebook on my lap but I am use to the sland.
But on the upside, you can answer your e-mail and web-surf while in bed!