Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic waves (RF-EMW) from cellular phones on human ejaculated semen: an in vitro pilot study med./bio.

By: Agarwal A, Desai NR, Makker K, Varghese A, Mouradi R, Sabanegh E, Sharma R

Published in: Fertil Steril 2009; 92 (4): 1318-1325

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of mobile phone radiofrequency electromagnetic fields during talk mode on unprocessed (neat) ejaculated human semen.

Background/further details

Semen samples from normal healthy donors (n=23) and infertile patients (n=9) were used. Semen samples were divided into two aliquots (for exposure and sham exposure). Analysis were performed between overall exposed and unexposed samples as well as separately in patient and donor samples.

Endpoint

effects on the reproductive system: different sperm parameters (e.g. motility, DNA damage, viability)

Exposure

- mobile communications
- digital mobile phone
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 850 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: continuous for 60 min	power: 1 W maximum power density: 40 µW/cm² maximum (1-40 µW/cm²) SAR: 1.46 W/kg maximum

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	850 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 60 min

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Additional info	GSM in talk mode

Exposure setup

Exposure source	cellular phone
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	2.5 cm
Chamber	Both samples (aliquots) were kept at room temperature.
Setup	The mobile phone had a loop-shaped, omni-directional antenna on the top of its back that was kept at 2.5 cm from each sample.
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info	Unexposed (control) aliquots were kept under identical conditions but without RF exposure [Oktem et al., 2005].

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power	1 W	maximum	-	-	-
power density	40 µW/cm²	maximum	measured	-	1-40 µW/cm²
SAR	1.46 W/kg	maximum	-	-	-

Additional parameter details

Power density in the control condition was 0.01-0.1 µW/cm².

Measurement and calculation details

Power density was monitored during basal condition (no radiation) and experimental condition (talk mode) throughout the experiment using a field strength meter. The frequency emitted was confirmed using an RF spectrum analyzer.

Reference articles

Oktem F et al. (2005): Oxidative damage in the kidney induced by 900-MHz-emitted mobile phone: protection by melatonin

Exposed system:

semen samples

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

genotoxicity/mutation: sperm DNA damage (TUNEL assay)
molecular biosynthesis: reactive oxygen species level (chemiluminescence assay) and total antioxidant capacity
cell viability/cell division/proliferation: sperm viability
effects on the reproductive system: sperm motility and concentration

Investigated system:

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Exposed samples showed a significant decrease in sperm motility and viability, an increase in reactive oxygen species level (in all groups: overall, normal donors, patients), and decrease in "reactive oxygen species - total antioxidant capacity" score (however, the score was not significant when comparing exposed and unexposed samples from donors and patients). Levels of total antioxidant capacity and DNA damage showed no significant differences from the unexposed group.
In conclusion, radiofrequency electromagnetic fields emitted from mobile phones may lead to oxidative stress in human semen. The authors speculate that keeping the cell phone in a trouser pocket in talk mode (e.g. while using Bluetooth) may negatively affect spermatozoa and impair male fertility. However, the cell phone and the male reproductive organs are separated by multiple tissue layers, so to extrapolate the effects seen under in vitro conditions to real-life conditions requires further studies.

Study character:

Study funded by

Center for Reproductive Medicine, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio

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