Putting mobile phone in trouser pocket ‘can cause infertility in men’

Ganiyu Arinola, head, department of chemical pathology, University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, has advised men against putting mobile phones in their trouser pockets, saying it may cause male infertility.

He also advised mobile phone users to be cautious of the duration of phone possession, the frequency of daily use, length of use and where they are kept.

Arinola advised men to keep their mobile phones in the pockets of their shirts or suits.

“Putting cell phone in the pockets or hang on a belt is recently proposed to be the cause of infertility, especially in the males,” he said.

“Radiation from cell phones is said to affect sperm structure, mobility/movement, vitality or being alive for expected length of time.

“But, it is known that millions of sperm cells are released during mating and only one sperm is needed to fertilise the female egg.

“The likelihood is that all the sperms may not be damaged at the same time, but within the short time of putting cell-phones in the pocket.

“Based on the health risks from cell phone radiation, it is advisable that simple precautionary safe method of handling cell phone should be practiced in order to protect health and fertility.

“Men should put their cell phones in the pockets of their shirts or suits, car safe, or hold it by hands, which are not in direct contact with testis sac. This is a wake-up call to the men of reproductive age.”

“Human body, such as layers of the skin, bone and tissue offer protection from the direct radiation of cellphone.

“Sperm damage was suggested to be the production of `toxic or reactive oxygen species by radiation from cellphones.

“The production of oxygen species by cellphone radiation raises the possibility that cellphone radiation, as a result of careless placements and long term use, can contribute to sperm damage.

“Based on the health risks from cellphone radiation, it is advisable that simple precautionary safe method of handling cellphone should be practiced in order to protect health and fertility.”