Semen Quality and Hormone Levels Among Radiofrequency Heater Operators

Grajewski, Barbara; Cox, Clinton; Schrader, Steven M.; Murray, Walter; Edwards, Richard M.; Turner, Thomas M.; Smith, James M.; Shekar, Sam S.; Evenson, Donald P.; Simon, Stephen D.; Conover, David L.

doi:10.1097/00043764-200010000-00005

Cited by 36 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Weyandt et al [1996] also found significantly reduced sperm quality among military men using radar equipment. 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.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 58%

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

Mollerlokken

Moen

2008

Bioelectromagnetics

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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.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 58%

“…Other studies have shown reduced sperm quality both among military men [Weyandt et al, 1996] and among radiofrequency heater operators [Grajewski et al, 2000]. 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].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

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

Mollerlokken

Moen

2008

Bioelectromagnetics

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“…Two studies have examined biological effects from MRI exposure, one from Italy (15) Two studies from Austria (20) and USA (27) are not in line with our study, but both studies have important limitations. The study from Austria (20) investigated 2110 men who attended their infertility clinic between the years 1993 to October 2007.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 65%

“…The study from USA (27) investigated RF heater operators where increased levels of serum-FSH were found among these operators (N=12) compared to a control group (N=34) and a slightly higher mean semen pH among controls. This study had a description of exposure, but suffered from other methodological weaknesses.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

No effects of MRI scan on male reproduction hormones

Mollerlokken

Moen

Baste

et al. 2012

Reproductive Toxicology

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This is an accepted version of a paper published in Reproductive Toxicology. This paper has been peer-reviewed but does not include the final publisher proof-corrections or journal pagination.Citation for the published paper: Møllerløkken, O., Moen, B., Baste, V., Magerøy, N., Oftedal, G. et al. (2012) "No effects of MRI scan on male reproduction hormones." Reproductive Toxicology URL: http://dx.doi.org/10. 1016/j.reprotox.2012.04.003 Access to the published version may require subscription. A prospective randomized balanced cross-over study using a head scan in real MRI with whole-body transmitting coil and sham MRI among 24 healthy male volunteers was conducted. Serum-blood samples of inhibin B, testosterone, prolactine, thyreotropine, luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, sex-hormone binding globuline and estradiol were taken before and after the different scans. Neither immediately after, nor after 11 days were there seen any differences in the hormone levels comparing real and sham MRI. The lack of effects of EMF on male reproductive hormones should be reassuring to the public and especially for men examined in MRI. Adverse effects on other endpoints than male reproduction or possible chronic effect of multiple MRI scans have not been investigated in this study. Abstract (150 words)The use of mMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasing around the world and the possible adverse effects on reproductive health of electromagnetic fields (EMF) in MRI are not previously studied. We conducted aA prospective randomized balanced cross-over study using a head scan in real MRI with whole-body transmitting coil and sham MRI scan among 24 healthy male volunteers was conducted. Serum-blood samples of inhibin B, testosterone, prolactine, thyreotropine, luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, sex-hormone binding globuline and estradiol were taken before and after the different scans. Neither immediately after, nor after 11 days were there seen any differences in the hormone levels comparing real and sham MRI. The lack of effects of EMF on male reproductive hormones should be reassuring to the public and especially for men examined in MRI. Adverse effects on other endpoints than male reproduction or possible chronic effect of multiple MRI scans have not been investigated in this study. Your reviewers have given us valuable comments which my coauthors and I hope to have addressed properly in this letter and in the revised manuscript. We have described our response in the letter and given reference to where in the revised manuscript the changes are. We have also highlighted the changed text in the revised manuscript.We hope you will consider this revised manuscript. Do not hesitate to contact me if anything is unclear. Thank you. Yours sincerelyOle Jacob Møllerløkken Institute of Public Health and Primary Health CareUniversity of Bergen Bergen -Norway *Response to Reviewer CommentsReviewer #1:This is an interesting manuscript with relevance to human patients. The authors conducted a randomized...

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“…Workplace studies of over 50 measures of semen quality, male reproductive hormones, and survey measures of potency and libido have described longitudinal normal semen quality values for working men (Schrader et al 1998) and identified reproductive hazards (Grajewski et al , 2000Ratcliffe et al 1989;Schrader et al 1988;Whelan et al 1996). Though difficult to do, if national cohort studies included semen analyses along with other biologic samples, it would provide important population-based data with which to compare exposed workers.…”

Section: Identifying Hazardsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An occupational reproductive research agenda for the third millennium.

Lawson

Schnorr

Daston

et al. 2003

Environ Health Perspect

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There is a significant public health concern about the potential effects of occupational exposure to toxic substances on reproductive outcomes. Several toxicants with reported reproductive and developmental effects are still in regular commercial or therapeutic use and thus present potential exposure to workers. Examples of these include heavy metals, organic solvents, pesticides and herbicides, and sterilants, anesthetic gases, and anticancer drugs used in health care. Many other substances are suspected of producing reproductive or developmental toxicity but lack sufficient data. Progress has been limited in identifying hazards and quantifying their potencies and in separating the contribution of these hazards from other etiologic factors. Identifying the causative agents, mechanisms by which they act, and any potential target populations, present the opportunity to intervene and protect the reproductive health of workers. The pace of laboratory studies to identify hazards and to underpin the biologic plausibility of effects in humans has not matched the pace at which new chemicals are introduced into commerce. Though many research challenges exist today, recent technologic and methodologic advances have been made that allow researchers to overcome some of these obstacles. The objective of this article is to recommend future directions in occupational reproductive health research. By bridging interdisciplinary gaps, the scientific community can work together to improve health and reduce adverse outcomes.

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Semen Quality and Hormone Levels Among Radiofrequency Heater Operators

Cited by 36 publications

References 30 publications

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

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

No effects of MRI scan on male reproduction hormones

An occupational reproductive research agenda for the third millennium.

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