Effects of mobile phone usage on sperm quality - No time-dependent relationship on usage: A systematic review and updated meta-analysis

Abstract

Effects of mobile phone usage on sperm quality - No time-dependent relationship on usage: A systematic review and updated meta-analysis Sungjoon Kim, Donghyun Han, Jiwoo Ryu, Kihun Kim, Yun Hak Kim. Effects of mobile phone usage on sperm quality - No time-dependent relationship on usage: A systematic review and updated meta-analysis. Environ Res. 2021 Jul 29;111784. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111784. Abstract Background: Mobile phones emit radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic waves (EMWs), a low-level RF that can be absorbed by the human body and exert potential adverse effects on the brain, heart, endocrine system, and reproductive function. Owing to the novel findings of numerous studies published since 2012 regarding the effect of mobile phone use on sperm quality, we conducted a systematic review and updated meta-analysis to determine whether the exposure to RF-EMWs affects human sperm quality. Methods: This study was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. The outcome measures depicting sperm quality were motility, viability, and concentration, which are the most frequently used parameters in clinical settings to assess fertility. Results: We evaluated 18 studies that included 4280 samples. Exposure to mobile phones is associated with reduced sperm motility, viability, and concentration. The decrease in sperm quality after RF-EMW exposure was not significant, even when the mobile phone usage increased. This finding was consistent across experimental in vitro and observational in vivo studies. Discussion: Accumulated data from in vivo studies show that mobile phone usage is harmful to sperm quality. Additional studies are needed to determine the effect of the exposure to EMWs from new mobile phone models used in the present digital environment. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Excerpts ... 18 studies fulfilled all inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis (Table 1 and Fig. 1) (Agarwal et al., 2008, 2009; Ahmad and Baig, 2011; Al-Bayyari, 2017b; De Iuliis et al., 2009; Ding et al., 2018a; Dkhil et al., 2011; Erogul et al., 2006; Falzone et al., 2008; Fejes et al., 2005; Kaya et al., 2020; Malini, 2017b; Rago et al., 2013; Sajeda and Al-Watter, 2011; Veerachari and Vasan, 2012; Wdowiak et al., 2018; Yildirim et al., 2015; Zalata et al., 2015). Nine studies from a previous meta-analysis and nine new studies that included 4280 samples were used for analysis. One conference paper included in the previous study was excluded. The sperm quality parameters established in each paper varied and were subjected to a meta-analysis; 16 papers provided data on sperm motility, 6 provided data on sperm viability, and 12 provided data on sperm concentration. All in vitro studies were experimental, whereas all in vivo studies were observational. We identified the MD values of the entire 4280 samples and analyzed the MD values of each group after classifying them according to four criteria: control group setting (non-exposure vs. less exposure), study design (in vivo and in vitro), participant group (fertility clinic and population), and storage location (trousers or not). Conclusion Mobile phone use decreased the overall sperm quality by affecting the motility, viability, and concentration. It was further reduced in the group with high mobile phone usage. In particular, the decrease was remarkable in in vivo studies with stronger clinical significance in subgroup analysis. Therefore, long-term cell phone use is a factor that must be considered as a cause of sperm quality reduction. Additional studies are needed to determine the effect of the exposure to EMWs emitted from new mobile phone models in the present digital environment.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

This PRISMA-conducted systematic review and updated meta-analysis of 18 studies (4280 samples) reports that mobile phone exposure is associated with reduced sperm motility, viability, and concentration. The abstract states that the decrease in sperm quality after RF-EMW exposure was not significant even when mobile phone usage increased, and that this pattern was consistent across in vitro and in vivo studies. The discussion emphasizes accumulated in vivo evidence as harmful to sperm quality and calls for additional studies on newer phone models.

Outcomes measured

• Sperm motility
• Sperm viability
• Sperm concentration

Limitations

• Frequency/SAR and detailed exposure characterization are not provided in the abstract.
• Included evidence mixes in vitro experimental and in vivo observational studies, which may differ in relevance and confounding control.
• The abstract notes no significant time-dependent relationship despite reporting reduced sperm parameters, suggesting potential heterogeneity or limited dose-response evidence.
• Details on study quality/risk of bias and confounder adjustment are not described in the abstract.

Suggested hubs

• cell-phones (0.95)
  Focuses on mobile phone RF-EMW exposure and health outcomes.

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    "study_type": "meta_analysis",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "mobile phone usage (time-dependent relationship assessed)"
    },
    "population": "Human males (in vivo observational studies and in vitro experimental studies; includes fertility clinic and general population groups)",
    "sample_size": 4280,
    "outcomes": [
        "Sperm motility",
        "Sperm viability",
        "Sperm concentration"
    ],
    "main_findings": "This PRISMA-conducted systematic review and updated meta-analysis of 18 studies (4280 samples) reports that mobile phone exposure is associated with reduced sperm motility, viability, and concentration. The abstract states that the decrease in sperm quality after RF-EMW exposure was not significant even when mobile phone usage increased, and that this pattern was consistent across in vitro and in vivo studies. The discussion emphasizes accumulated in vivo evidence as harmful to sperm quality and calls for additional studies on newer phone models.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Frequency/SAR and detailed exposure characterization are not provided in the abstract.",
        "Included evidence mixes in vitro experimental and in vivo observational studies, which may differ in relevance and confounding control.",
        "The abstract notes no significant time-dependent relationship despite reporting reduced sperm parameters, suggesting potential heterogeneity or limited dose-response evidence.",
        "Details on study quality/risk of bias and confounder adjustment are not described in the abstract."
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "high",
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    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "stance": "concern",
    "stance_confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "summary": "This systematic review and updated meta-analysis (18 studies; 4280 samples) evaluated whether RF-EMW exposure from mobile phone use affects human sperm quality. It reports associations with reduced sperm motility, viability, and concentration across both in vitro experimental and in vivo observational studies. The abstract also reports no significant time-dependent relationship with increased usage and calls for further research on newer phone models.",
    "key_points": [
        "The review followed PRISMA and synthesized 18 studies including 4280 samples.",
        "Outcomes assessed were sperm motility, viability, and concentration.",
        "Mobile phone exposure was reported as associated with reduced motility, viability, and concentration.",
        "The abstract reports no significant additional decrease with increased mobile phone usage (no clear time-dependent relationship).",
        "Findings were described as consistent across in vitro experimental and in vivo observational studies.",
        "The discussion frames accumulated in vivo evidence as harmful and requests more studies on newer phone models."
    ],
    "categories": [
        "Reproductive Health",
        "Mobile Phones",
        "Radiofrequency (RF)"
    ],
    "tags": [
        "Systematic Review",
        "Meta-Analysis",
        "Mobile Phone Use",
        "Radiofrequency Exposure",
        "Sperm Motility",
        "Sperm Viability",
        "Sperm Concentration",
        "Male Fertility",
        "In Vivo Observational Studies",
        "In Vitro Studies"
    ],
    "keywords": [
        "mobile phone",
        "RF-EMW",
        "radiofrequency",
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        "sperm quality",
        "motility",
        "viability",
        "concentration",
        "meta-analysis",
        "systematic review",
        "PRISMA"
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    "social": {
        "tweet": "Systematic review & updated meta-analysis (18 studies; 4280 samples) reports mobile phone RF-EMW exposure is associated with reduced sperm motility, viability, and concentration, with no clear time-dependent relationship as usage increases. More research on newer phone models is needed.",
        "facebook": "A PRISMA-based systematic review and updated meta-analysis of 18 studies (4280 samples) reports that mobile phone RF-EMW exposure is associated with reduced sperm motility, viability, and concentration. The authors also report no significant time-dependent relationship with increased usage and call for more studies on newer phone models.",
        "linkedin": "This PRISMA-conducted systematic review and updated meta-analysis (18 studies; 4280 samples) reports associations between mobile phone RF-EMW exposure and reduced sperm motility, viability, and concentration. The abstract notes no significant time-dependent relationship with increased usage and highlights the need for further research on newer phone models."
    }
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