Reproductive function in relation to duty assignments among military personnel

Mazurek

et al. 2017

Ann Agric Environ Med.

Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitting from the natural environment, as well as from the use of industrial and everyday appliances, constantly influence the human body. The effect of this type of energy on living tissues may exert various effects on their functioning, although the mechanisms conditioning this phenomenon have not been fully explained. It may be expected that the interactions between electromagnetic radiation and the living organism would depend on the amount and parameters of the transmitted energy and type of tissue exposed. Electromagnetic waves exert an influence on human reproduction by affecting the male and female reproductive systems, the developing embryo, and subsequently, the foetus. Knowledge concerning this problem is still being expanded; however, all the conditionings of human reproduction still remain unknown. The study presents the current state of knowledge concerning the problem, based on the latest scientific reports.

Section: Mechanisms Of the Effect Of Emrmentioning

confidence: 92%

Effect of electromagnetic waves on human reproduction

Mazurek

et al. 2017

Ann Agric Environ Med.

“…Sperm DNA damage has also been shown to have the lowest variability of all semen parameters examined, exhibiting a coefficient of variation of around !10% (Schrader et al 1988, Evenson et al 1991, although one study has recently reported it to be 29% (Erenpreiss et al 2006). Thus, many consider it to have potential as a more useful diagnostic tool in the clinical assessment of semen quality (Zini et al 2001, Loft et al 2003, Holt 2005.…”

Section: Assessment Of Nuclear and Mitochondrial Dnamentioning

confidence: 98%

Is sperm evaluation useful in predicting human fertility?

Lewis¹

2007

Reproduction

265

171

Traditionally, the diagnosis of male infertility has relied upon microscopic assessment and biochemical assays to determine human semen quality. The conventional parameters given most importance have been the concentration, motility, and morphology of sperm in the ejaculate. Most laboratories also include 'sperm suitability' tests where the subpopulations of sperm more likely to finish the marathon journey to the oocyte are separated by density centrifugation. These tests are essential to provide the fundamental information on which clinicians base their initial diagnosis. However, none of these parameters addresses sperm function and their clinical value in predicting fertility is questionable. The advent of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has further reduced the significance and perceived need for sperm quality tests since ICSI requires only one sperm, not subject to classic, or indeed any, tests for the procedure to be successful. Over the past decade, a number of laboratory tests have been developed to determine properties of sperm function. These include quantitative sperm motion parameters, capacitation, basal and induced acrosome reactions, sperm-zona pellucida interactions and nuclear and mitochondrial sperm DNA but few have been adopted into routine clinical use. International collaborations should be initiated to develop clinically relevant molecular and functional tests with agreed protocols and clinical thresholds as a matter of urgency.

“…Lancranjan et al [1975] and Grajewski et al [2000] had similar findings. In contrast, both Hjollund and Bonde [1997] and Schrader et al [1998] found no such results. Differences in exposure type and exposure level might explain these differences.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

“…Recent studies on the use of mobile phones also indicate a negative effect on sperm quality [Fejes et al, 2005;Kilgallon and Simmons, 2005;Erogul et al, 2006]. In contrast, some studies of this type show no effect on sperm quality [Schrader et al, 1998]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is fertility reduced among men exposed to radiofrequency fields in the Norwegian Navy?

Mollerlokken

Moen

2008

Bioelectromagnetics

The effects of radiofrequency fields on human health are not well understood, and public concern about negative health effects has been rising. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between workers exposed to electromagnetic fields and their reproductive health. We obtained data using a questionnaire in a cross-sectional study of naval military men, response rate 63% (n = 1487). We asked the respondents about exposure, lifestyle, reproductive health, previous diseases, work and education. An expert group categorized the work categories related to electromagnetic field exposure. We categorized the work categories "tele/communication," "electronics" and "radar/sonar" as being exposed to electromagnetic fields. Logistic regression adjusted for age, ever smoked, military education, and physical exercise at work showed increased risk of infertility among tele/communication odds ratio (OR = 1.72, 95% confidence interval 1.04-2.85), and radar/sonar odds ratio (OR = 2.28, 95% confidence interval 1.27-4.09). The electronics group had no increased risk. This study shows a possible relationship between exposure to radiofrequency fields during work with radiofrequency equipment and radar and reduced fertility. However, the results must be interpreted with caution.