Mobile phone effect on fertility - 'research needed'

A review of the evidence, by the University of Exeter, suggested sperm number and movement were affected by keeping mobile phones in pockets.

However, one sperm scientist said the evidence was still too sketchy and his phone was staying in his pocket.

The study, published in the journal Environment International, suggested electromagnetic radiation was to blame.

It analysed 10 separate studies on sperm quality involving 1,492 men. These included laboratory tests on sperm exposed to mobile phone radiation and questionnaires of men at fertility clinics.

Lead researcher Dr Fiona Mathews told the BBC that all but one of the studies showed a link between mobile phone exposure and poorer sperm quality.

She added: "The studies are coming out with a consistent message that sperm motility declines with exposure to mobile telephones and similarly proportion which are alive, it's about an eight percentage point fall.

"I think for your average man there's certainly no need to panic, if you already know you have a potential fertility issue then it might be an additional thing to consider - just as you might change your diet - you might want to change where you keep your phone."