Background and objective: Cell phones emit radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation are prejudicial to human fertility. The objective was to study the effect of cell phone usage on semen quality and men's fertility. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional observational study conducted on 159 men attending infertility clinics at North, Middle and South Governorates in Jordan and undergoing infertility evaluation were divided into two groups according to their active cell phone use: group A: ≤1 h/day and group B: >1 h/day. No interventions were given to patients and semen samples were collected by masturbation in a sterile container after an abstinence period of 5 days. The main outcome measures were sperm volume, liquefaction time, pH, viscosity, count, motility and morphology. Results: There were no statistical significance differences (p > 0.05) between both groups regarding sperm quality parameters according to cell phone use, but there were statistical differences in the frequencies of sperm concentration, volume, viscosity, liquefaction time and means of immotile sperms and abnormal morphology. In addition, time spend on watching television and using wireless phones were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) associated with decreasing mean percentages of normal morphology. The distance from telecommunication tower was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) associated with decreasing sperms volume. Meanwhile, the time spend on sending or receiving messages was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) associated with decreasing sperms count and carrying mobile phone in trouser pocket was significantly associated with increasing means of immotile sperms. Conclusion: Cell phone use might have a negative effect on semen quality parameters and further research is needed

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of vitamin D₃ on total homocysteine (tHcy) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and liver and kidney function tests in overweight women with vitamin D deficiency. Therefore, a randomised, double-blind placebo, controlled clinical trial was conducted on 100 eligible women. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups: the placebo (n 50) and the vitamin D (n 50) which received 1250 µg vitamin D₃ per week for 2 months. The participants’ 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), tHcy, CRP, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), urea, creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were measured and compared before and after treatment. Results showed that the tHcy, CRP, AST, ALT and eGFR levels after the 2nd month of vitamin D₃ intervention were significantly (P < 0·001) decreased and the 25(OH)D, urea and creatinine levels were significantly (P < 0·001) increased in the treatment group. In the placebo group, no significant changes were identified throughout the follow-up period. In conclusion, vitamin D₃ intervention with a treatment dose of 1250 µg/week for at least 2 months may help in lowering Hcy and CRP levels and may improve liver function tests, which in turn might help in minimising the risk of CVD and liver diseases among overweight women but negatively affect kidney function.

Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is considered one of the most common medical disorders observed during pregnancy. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), anemia and micronutrients deficiencies among pregnant women are associated with low consumption of animal products, monotonous starchy-diets, and seasonal consumption of vegetables and fruits. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 198 pregnant mothers aged between 19–45 years who visited the antenatal care clinics in Northern Jordan to document the prevalence of IDA and to describe the associations between dietary diversity, diet quality scores and oral iron supplementation with the pregnant women iron status. Participants were stratified into three groups by gestational age (n = 66 women per group). Gestational age, blood parameters, minimum dietary diversity score (MDD-W), and prime diet quality score for healthy (PDQSHF) and unhealthy foods (PDQSUF) were assessed using 24- hour dietary recall. Results: Prevalence of mild to moderate anemia was 27.8% among pregnant women. Third-trimester pregnant women were most affected. 52.5% have depleted iron stores (ferritin < 15 ng/ml), of them 30.8% have iron deficiency, and 21.7% have IDA. The (M ± SD) of the MDD-W, PDQSHF, and PDQSUF were 4.8 ± 1.6, 12.8 ± 3.9, and 7.2 ± 2.8 respectively. 52.5% achieved the MDD-W, 68% consumed < 4 servings/week of healthy food groups, and 50% consumed > 4 servings/week of unhealthy food groups. Mothers with higher MDD-W and PDQS had higher Hb and serum concentrations. Those taking iron supplements had significantly (p = 0.001) higher means of Hb, serum ferritin, and gestational weight gain. Significant differences were also found between PDQSHF, PDQSUF and the first and third trimester. Conclusions: Mild to moderate IDA is prevalent among pregnant mothers, especially in the third trimester. However, the prevalence of IDA among Jordanian pregnant women is lower than the global average. A high-quality, diverse diet, combined with oral iron supplementation and food fortification with iron, will help improve iron status, prevent anemia, and reduce its prevalence.