Laptop and tablet use and their influence on total motile sperm count parameters: are laptops linked to infertility in Jamaican men?

Uso de laptops y tabletas y su influencia en los parámetros del conteo total de espermatozoides móviles: ¿están las laptops relacionadas con la infertilidad en hombres jamaicanos?

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.

Resumen

Antecedentes: Este estudio tiene como objetivo determinar el impacto del uso de computadoras portátiles y tabletas en el recuento total de espermatozoides móviles (TMSC) en hombres que están siendo investigados para reproducción asistida. Se realizó un estudio transversal en 156 hombres que asistieron a una clínica de fertilidad en Jamaica. Métodos: Se realizaron análisis rutinarios de semen y se evaluaron parámetros específicos del TMSC. Todos los análisis de datos se realizaron utilizando SPSS Versión 26. Se realizaron análisis de regresión logística para predecir de manera independiente el impacto de medidas cuantificables del uso de computadoras portátiles y tabletas. Las principales medidas de resultado fueron los parámetros asociados con el TMSC. Resultados: En general, el 64% de los participantes informaron que usaban computadoras portátiles y el 36% que usaban tabletas. Se observó una relación significativa entre el tiempo dedicado a las computadoras portátiles y el tiempo tratando de concebir (p = 0.015). Los análisis de regresión mostraron que las personas que usaban sus computadoras portátiles durante 2 a 5 h diarias tenían aproximadamente 16 veces (Razón de Momios Ajustada (Ora) = 15.9; Intervalo de Confianza (IC) del 95%, 2.5–103.3, p = 0.004) más probabilidades de ser diagnosticadas con un volumen de semen bajo (hipospermia). Aunque no se encontró una asociación significativa entre el recuento total de espermatozoides móviles (TMSC) y el uso de computadoras portátiles, se observó una tendencia hacia la significación con el uso elevado de computadoras portátiles (p = 0.052), lo que sugiere implicaciones potenciales para TMSC como predictor de los resultados del embarazo. Conclusiones: Nuestros hallazgos destacan la necesidad de que los clínicos tomen en consideración el uso de dispositivos inalámbricos en hombres que se someten a investigaciones de fertilidad.

Assisted reproduction; Infertility; Electromagnetic radiation; Wireless device; Laptop use; Tablet use; Semen volume; Total motile sperm count

Palabras Clave

Reproducción asistida; Infertilidad; Radiación electromagnética; Dispositivo inalámbrico; Uso de computadoras portátiles; Uso de tabletas; Volumen de semen; Recuento total de espermatozoides móviles

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