Laptops may be hurting men's fertility

[JI7]

<All that computer time on the road or at home may be taking more of a toll on some men than they realize.

Reproductive experts warn in a new study that heat generated by laptop computers can have an adverse effect on male fertility.

The study, reported today in the journal Human Reproduction, showed that testicular temperatures rose by between 4.6 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit in an hour among a group of healthy male volunteers.

"Laptops can reach internal operating temperatures of over 158 degrees, they are frequently positioned close to the scrotum and as well as being capable of producing direct local heat, they require the user to sit with thighs close together to balance the machine," said Dr. Yefim Shenykin, associate professor of urology and director of Male Infertility and Microsurgery at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

Shenykin and colleagues worked with 29 healthy volunteers ages 21 to 35, measuring testicular temperatures with and without working laptops during two one-hour sessions.

Previous studies have shown that increases in testicular temperatures between 1.8 and 5.2 degrees have a sustained negative effect on sperm development and fertility.>

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/202937_hsecond09.html?dpfrom=th

[Waistdeep]

1. Well, personally

I always put 10-15 ice cubes in my shorts before I use the laptop. What does everybody else do?

[merwin]

2. I prefer to get close to condi... that does it every time n/t

[donheld]

5. Welcome to DU mervin

:hi: good way to scare yourself into sterility. With Condi close you'll scare the little spermies to death.

[Cobalt Violet]

3. So now the fundies will want to ban laptops.

1. It's a form of birth control.

2. Think of all those babies that will never be born.

[TahitiNut]

4. Laptops and Jockey shorts ... lethal to the little critters.

Add hot tubs and it's better than a permanent condom.

[aikido15]

6. This is too funny...

Are they serious?

[pinniped]

7. My notebook never goes on my lap or near my $crotum.

:silly:

[delete_bush]

8. I'm starting a new company to

manufacture scrotum fans. Plugs right into a USB port. Any takers?

[Gunit_Sangh]

10. wouldn't it be better

if you created a little usb scrotum cooling glove? Slip it on and instant cool cahones!

On edit ... you can also make it vibrate. Of course, you may have trouble balancing the laptop on your lap :o)

[TahitiNut]

13. Bring back codpieces! Air-cooled, high-tech codpieces!

If you got it, flaunt it! :evilgrin: Show the Fecal Führer whatcha got!

[customerserviceguy]

12. Just what do you mean

by a "USB port", in this case? ;)

[delete_bush]

14. I see your point. I was thinking only of a power source, but

'USB port' could take on several meanings! I like the cod-piece design idea, I was thinking initially of a loofah style. Maybe I could even get some 'celebrity' endorsements.

[politicat]

9. Sounds like a plan to me.

Fertility in men can be impaired for as much as 6 months if the testes are exposed to temps of above 130 for 30 minutes a day for a month. It's one of the only male infertility "treatments" out there. (Since gossypol is not going to ever get through the FDA.... :eyes: )

Laptops for all the boys! (Hey, I took my pill for 5 years... how much pain and suffering is it going to cause for you boys to play Everquest for an hour a day as a means of fertility control?)

Pcat

[livinginphotographs]

11. Sounds good to me.

At my age and current income, a low sperm count would be more than welcome.

And all I have to do is screw around on DU for a few hours a day!

[VegasWolf]

15. I have a picture of Ann Coulter for my desktop, that does it for me. n/t

[talk hard]

16. Laptops could hurt male fertility ...

but only if they slam their nads in them.

[Cheswick2.0]

17. fabulous