Possible impact(s) of cell phone electromagnetic radiation on human sperm parameters

Abstract

BackgroundEpidemiological in-vitro studies have highlighted the possibility that exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic waves emitted from cell phones may negatively affect seminal parameters through altering the DNA integrity of sperm and releasing reactive oxygen species (ROS). PurposeTo determine the hazardous effects of using a cell phone on semen quality in correlation with DNA damage and the release of ROS. Patients and methodsThe study was carried out at the Department of Dermatology and Andrology and Cleopatra-IVF center Ismailia, Egypt, on a total of one hundred with infertile men. They were divided into four groups according to their cell phone use: group A: no use (n = 15); group B: less than 2 h/day (n = 30); group C: 2-4 h/day (n = 25); and group D: more than 4 h/day (n = 30). Semen analyses were carried out using computer-aided sperm analysis both dynamically and morphologically according to WHO. DNA damage and ROS level were assessed using an alkaline comet assay and a thiobarbituric acid assay, respectively. ResultsThe current study showed that the duration of cell phone usage correlated negatively with the proportion of grade A and grade B sperm motility, but correlated positively with the proportion of grade C and grade D motility. Group D showed an increased ROS level and altered DNA strands in the spermatozoa. Conclusion Prolonged use of cell phones could have hazardous effects on semen quality in men. Electromagnetic radiation can lead to breakage of DNA strands and elevation in the ROS level.

Mobile phones electromagnetic radiation and NAD+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase as a mitochondrial marker in asthenozoospermia

“…The latter effect is postulated to increase the production of the ROS (reactive oxygen species) and this may lead to DNA damage. These outcomes we identified in the same study group with longer time of EMR exposure in our previous work [3] . Regarding the thermal effects “may be largely due to the heat generated by the handsets rather than the RF-EMR, since the EMR frequencies released from cell phones are thought to have negligible heating effects” [11] , [31] .…”

“…Semen samples were collected after 3–5 days of abstinence, liquefied for 30 min at 37 °C and analyzed within 60 min after ejaculation according to WHO guidelines; 2010 [14] . The detailed procedure has been described previously [3] . A computer-assisted semen analyzer (Hamilton Thorne, HTM-IVOS, Version 12, Baumann Medical AG, Wetzikon, Switzerland), was used for sperm concentration and kinetic measurements.…”

“…The growing popularity of mobile usage is associated with increased concern regarding its radiation (RF-EMW; radiofrequency electromagnetic waves) harmful effects on human health, brain and fertility among others [1] , [2] , [3] .…”

The effect of radiofrequency waves produced by cell phones on the semen quality of infertile men

“…Similar results were also reported by Agarwal et al [16] in their observational study on the effect of cell phone use on the semen parameters of men attending infertility clinics. Moreover, Mostafa et al [17] reported that the duration of cell phone use correlated negatively with the proportion of grade A and grade B sperm motility but correlated positively with the proportion of grade C and grade D motility.…”

“…However, studies designed to measure malonaldehyde levels and superoxide dismutase activity have reported conflicting results [22]. Recent studies on human semen also suggested increased ROS production in human semen due to cell phone radiation [8,17]. Oxidative stress has been known to limit the motility and fertilizing potential of human spermatozoa through the induction of peroxidase damage to the sperm plasma membrane [23].…”