Laptops might reduce sperm production
Laptop computers may cause young men to lose some ability to produce sperm when the machines are placed for long periods on their laps. The potential loss of fertility comes from an increase in the temperature of the scrotum, which has been associated with decreased ability to produce sperm. In a study of 29 healthy men ages 21 to 35, researchers at the State University of New York at Stony Brook found that one hour of laptop use on the lap caused an increase of 4 to 5 degrees in scrotal temperature. Lead researcher Yefim Sheynkin said that previous studies found that an increase in temperature of that magnitude can lead to significant reductions in sperm production. Sheynkin said researchers do not know how often and for how long a man has to use his laptop to produce the effect. But he said that long-term lap use of portable computers "may cause irreversible or partially reversible changes in male reproductive function." The study, published in the journal Human Reproduction, said laptops can reach internal operating temperatures of more than 150 degrees. Sheynkin said his group was not yet determined what period of time constituted safe use, but the scrotum temperatures increased enough after 15 minutes of use to have a possible effect on the creation of sperm.
