Male laptop users ‘may risk fertility’

BUSINESSMEN and teenage boys could be risking their fertility by using laptop computers, according to new research published yesterday.

The combination of heat generated by the computers and the posture needed to balance the equipment on the lap leads to raised temperatures around the scrotum, a study found.

Past studies have found that higher scrotal temperatures can damage sperm and affect fertility.

The latest research, published in the journal Human Reproduction, warned teenagers and young men should consider cutting the time they used their laptop positioned on their lap because long-term use could damage their fertility.

Researchers from the State University of New York at Stony Brook said their study was the first to look at the effect of heat from laptop computers on scrotal temperature.

Using 29 volunteers aged 21 to 35 the researchers, led by Dr Yefim Sheynkin, measured the temperature changes to the scrotum caused by laptop use and seating position. Just sitting with the thighs together in order to balance the laptop caused scrotal temperatures to rise by 2.1C. But when the laptop was in use average temperatures rose by 2.6C on the left of the scrotum and 2.8C on the right.

“It shows that scrotal hyperthermia (high body temperature) is produced by both special body posture and the local heating effect of laptop computers,” Dr Sheynkin said.

Past studies have shown that increases in testicular or scrotal temperatures of between 1C and 2.9C have a negative effect on the production and development of sperm and fertility.

Research earlier this year showed sperm counts have dropped by almost a third in a decade.