Laptop and tablet use and their influence on total motile sperm count parameters: are laptops linked

PAPER manual Rev Int Androl 2024 Cross-sectional study Effect: mixed Evidence: Low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.22514/j.androl.2024.027 Evidence Lab

Abstract

Laptop and tablet use and their influence on total motile sperm count parameters: are laptops linked to infertility in Jamaican men? Sterling L, Carroll K, Harris LR. Laptop and tablet use and their influence on total motile sperm count parameters: are laptops linked to infertility in Jamaican men? Rev Int Androl. 2024 Dec;22(4):25-32. doi: 10.22514/j.androl.2024.027. Abstract Background: This study aims to determine the impact of laptop and tablet use on total motile sperm count (TMSC) in men being investigated for assisted reproduction. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 156 men attending a fertility clinic in Jamaica. Routine semen analyses were performed and parameters specific to TMSC assessed. All data analyses were performed using SPSS Version 26. Logistic regression analyses were performed to independently predict the impact of quantifiable measures of laptop and tablet use. The main outcome measures were the parameters associated with TMSC. Results: Overall, 64% of the participants reported using laptops and 36% reported using tablets. There was a significant relationship seen with time spent on laptops and time trying to conceive (p = 0.015). Regression analyses showed that persons who used their laptops for 2 to 5 h daily were approximately 16 times (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 15.9; 95% Confidence Interval (CI), 2.5-103.3, p = 0.004) more likely to be diagnosed with low semen volume (hypospermia). Although no significant association was found between total motile sperm count (TMSC) and laptop use, a trend towards significance was observed with high laptop use (p = 0.052), suggesting potential implications for TMSC as a predictor of pregnancy outcomes. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the need for clinicians to take into consideration wireless device usage in men undergoing fertility investigations. Open access paper: files.intandro.com

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Cross-sectional study

Effect direction

mixed

Population

Men attending a fertility clinic in Jamaica being investigated for assisted reproduction

Sample size

156

Exposure

laptop and tablet use (wireless device usage) · daily use; specifically 2–5 h daily laptop use analyzed

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 74% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

In logistic regression, men reporting 2–5 hours/day of laptop use were more likely to be diagnosed with low semen volume (hypospermia) (aOR 15.9; 95% CI 2.5–103.3; p=0.004). No statistically significant association was found between TMSC and laptop use, though a trend toward significance was reported for high laptop use (p=0.052). A significant relationship was reported between time spent on laptops and time trying to conceive (p=0.015).

Outcomes measured

Total motile sperm count (TMSC) parameters
Semen volume (hypospermia/low semen volume)
Time trying to conceive

Limitations

Cross-sectional design
Clinic-based sample (men attending a fertility clinic)
Exposure characterized as device use time; no EMF frequency/SAR or measured exposure reported

Suggested hubs

rf-fertility (0.86)
Study evaluates laptop/tablet use in relation to semen parameters including TMSC and semen volume.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "cross_sectional",
    "exposure": {
        "band": null,
        "source": "laptop and tablet use (wireless device usage)",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "daily use; specifically 2–5 h daily laptop use analyzed"
    },
    "population": "Men attending a fertility clinic in Jamaica being investigated for assisted reproduction",
    "sample_size": 156,
    "outcomes": [
        "Total motile sperm count (TMSC) parameters",
        "Semen volume (hypospermia/low semen volume)",
        "Time trying to conceive"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In logistic regression, men reporting 2–5 hours/day of laptop use were more likely to be diagnosed with low semen volume (hypospermia) (aOR 15.9; 95% CI 2.5–103.3; p=0.004). No statistically significant association was found between TMSC and laptop use, though a trend toward significance was reported for high laptop use (p=0.052). A significant relationship was reported between time spent on laptops and time trying to conceive (p=0.015).",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Cross-sectional design",
        "Clinic-based sample (men attending a fertility clinic)",
        "Exposure characterized as device use time; no EMF frequency/SAR or measured exposure reported"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "laptop",
        "tablet",
        "wireless device usage",
        "male fertility",
        "semen analysis",
        "total motile sperm count",
        "TMSC",
        "hypospermia",
        "Jamaica",
        "assisted reproduction",
        "cross-sectional",
        "logistic regression"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "rf-fertility",
            "weight": 0.85999999999999998667732370449812151491641998291015625,
            "reason": "Study evaluates laptop/tablet use in relation to semen parameters including TMSC and semen volume."
        }
    ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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