Exposure by males to light emitted from media devices at night is linked with decline of sperm quality and correlated with sleep quality measures

ABSTRACT

The last several decades have been characterized by the widespread usage of digital devices, especially smartphones. At the same time, there have been reports of both decline in sleep duration and quality and male fertility decline. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between evening exposure to the light-emitting screens of digital media devices and measures of both sleep and sperm quality. Semen samples were obtained from 116 men undergoing fertility evaluation for the following sperm variables: volume (mL), pH, sperm concentration (million/mL), motility percentage (progressive% + non-progressive motility%), and total sperm count. Exposure to the screens of electronic devices and sleep habits was obtained by means of a questionnaire. Smartphone and tablet usage in the evening and after bedtime was negatively correlated with sperm motility (−0.392; −0.369; p < .05), sperm progressive motility (−0.322; −0.299; p < .05), and sperm concentration (−0.169; p < .05), and positively correlated with the percentage of immotile sperm (0.382; 0.344; p < .05). In addition, sleep duration was positively correlated with sperm total and progressive motility (0.249; 0.233; p < .05) and negatively correlated with semen pH (−0.349; p < .05). A significant negative correlation was observed between subjective sleepiness and total and progressive motility (−0.264; p < .05) as well as total motile sperm number (−0.173; p < .05). The results of this study support a link between evening and post-bedtime exposure to light-emitting digital media screens and sperm quality. Further research is required to establish the proposed causative link and may lead to the future development of relevant therapeutic and lifestyle interventions.

KEYWORDS:

• Sleep
• sleepiness
• digital device
• light
• melatonin
• sperm quality
• male fertility
• ALAN

Compliance with ethical standards

The study was approved by the institutional ethical review board at Assuta Medical Center.

Conflict of interest

Dr. Amit Green, Dr. Shlomi Barak, Mr. Lior Shine, Dr. Arik Kahane, and Prof. Yaron Dagan declare that they have no conflict of interest.

All authors have seen and approved the manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

All authors declare no financial or non-financial disclosure.