Wi-fi enabled laptops may be frying men's sperm.
Argentinian researchers obtained semen from 29 healthy men, and stored the samples underneath a laptop computer connected to the internet via Wi-Fi to simulate the experience of using a laptop on one's lap.
Four hours later, the sperm in the samples stored under the computer showed less movement than sperm in samples that were stored at the same temperature but away from the laptop. Nine per cent of the sperm stored below the laptop showed DNA damage - more than three times higher than in the control group.
But other scientists are sceptical.
A UK fertility expert, Dr Allan Pacey, told the BBC scientists should be "cautious" of the findings.
"We cannot infer from this study that because a man might use a laptop with wi-fi on his lap for more than four hours then his sperm will necessarily be damaged and he will be less fertile."
Other studies have already shown that the bottom of laptops can become hot and the resulting testicular heating could result in poor sperm quality.
- HERALD ONLINE