People with a high-risk fertility profile are especially vulnerable when exposed to electronic devices for over eight hours a day.
Calcutta: Prolonged use of mobile phones and laptops may significantly increase the risk of male infertility and even impotence, according to a new study by Calcutta University (CU) and the Institute of Reproductive Medicine.
The research, led by Sujay Ghosh, associate professor of zoology at CU, involved molecular, genetic and statistical analysis of 1,200 men aged between 20 and 40, based on lifestyle and other risk factors. “Several participants kept mobile phones in their trouser pockets for over five hours or worked long hours with laptops on their laps,” Ghosh noted.
The study found a significant link between electromagnetic radiation exposure and azoospermia (absence of sperm), particularly among genetically susceptible individuals under 30. Of the 1,200 men examined, 708 had azoospermia.
How Fertility Is Affected In Males
Using laptops on your lap can increase scrotal temperature, and studies have shown that it can rise by 1 degree C to 5.1 degrees C when using a laptop. Meanwhile, exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) from mobile phones may reduce sperm quality, count and motility.
“Those carrying certain genetic mutations were found to have at least 10 times higher infertility risk than those without such mutations,” Ghosh said.
Senior scientist Samudra Pal added, “People with a high-risk fertility profile are especially vulnerable when exposed to electronic devices for over eight hours a day, particularly when these are kept close to reproductive organs.”
Ghosh also suggested incorporating these insights into routine screening in assisted reproductive technology (ART), enabling more personalised treatment.
However, the findings contrast with several global studies. A recent University of Utah paper argues there’s no conclusive evidence linking mobile phone radiation to infertility, pointing out that sperm quality varies greatly over time. It emphasized that sperm health needs long-term tracking to establish definitive trends.
Despite this ongoing scientific debate, the CU study raises important concerns, especially for young men with high device usage and genetic predispositions.