Association between reproductive health and nonionizing radiation exposure
Abstract
Association between reproductive health and nonionizing radiation exposure Pooja Negi, Rajeev Singh. Association between reproductive health and nonionizing radiation exposure. Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine. Published online: 20 Jan 2021. DOI: 10.1080/15368378.2021.1874973. Abstract Recently, a decreasing rate of fertility has to be credited to an array of factors such as environmental, health and lifestyle. Male infertility is likely to be affected by the strong exposure to heat and radiations. The most common sources of nonionizing radiations are cell phones, laptops, Wi-Fi and microwave ovens, which may participate to the cause of male infertility. One of the major sources of daily exposure to non-ionizing radiation is mobile phones. A mobile phone is now basically dominating our daily life through better services such as connectivity, smartphone devices. However, the health consequences are linked with their usage are frequently ignored. Constant exposure to non-ionizing radiations produced from a cell phone is one of the possible reasons for growing male infertility. Recently, several studies have shown that cell phone users have altered sperm parameters causing declining reproductive health. Cell phone radiation harms male fertility by affecting the different parameters like sperm motility, sperm count, sperm morphology, semen concentration, morphometric abnormalities, increased oxidative stress along with some hormonal changes. This review is focusing on the prevailing literature from in vitro and in vivo studies suggesting that non-ionizing exposure negatively affects human male infertility. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Conclusion Generally, the outcome of the studies has indicated that mobile phone usage changes different sperm parameters in both ways in-vitro (human) and in-vivo (animals). Several studies disclose that the exposure to cell phones produces harmful effects on the testes, which may affect sperm motility, sperm number, sperm concentration, and morphology and an increased DNA damage, causing micronuclei formation and reactive oxygen species within the cell. So many evidences showed that exposure from cell phones results in elevated oxidative stress with disintegrated DNA and it is directly and indirectly dependent on the time of cell phone use. Further researches are required to provide strong evidence that the use of mobile phones may disturb sperm and testicular activity. Several evidences suggest that the irregularities reported due to RF-EMF-exposure depend on physical parameters such as utilized RF wavelength, penetration range into the object, and transmission length of the radiation. Unfortunately, existing studies are not able to suggest a true mechanism between the harmful effects of RF-EMF radiation and the male reproductive system. To conclude all of the above, government bodies and agencies should form strong guidelines against cell phone exposure and take preventive actions such as in the usage of mobile phones, preventing chatting, reducing the overall contact time, and holding the gadget away from the groin may be of significant help to people pursuing fertility. Moreover, very limited studies are available on protective actions so far so a large-scale analysis is also required to determine the reproductive parameters.
AI evidence extraction
Main findings
This narrative review summarizes literature suggesting that non-ionizing radiation exposure, particularly from mobile phones, is associated with altered sperm parameters and increased oxidative stress and DNA damage in in vitro human and in vivo animal studies. The authors also note that study outcomes vary and that existing studies do not establish a clear mechanism, calling for further research and stronger evidence.
Outcomes measured
- Male fertility/infertility
- Sperm motility
- Sperm count/number
- Sperm morphology
- Semen concentration
- Oxidative stress/ROS
- Hormonal changes
- DNA damage
- Micronuclei formation
- Testicular effects
Limitations
- Narrative review; methods for literature search/selection not described in the provided text
- No quantitative synthesis or effect sizes reported in the provided text
- Exposure metrics (frequency, SAR, dose) and durations are not specified in the provided text
- Authors state that existing studies are not able to suggest a true mechanism
- Authors indicate limited studies on protective actions and call for large-scale analysis
Suggested hubs
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cell-phones
(0.95) The review emphasizes mobile phone RF exposure as a major source and discusses male fertility outcomes.
View raw extracted JSON
{
"publication_year": null,
"study_type": "review",
"exposure": {
"band": "RF",
"source": "mobile phone",
"frequency_mhz": null,
"sar_wkg": null,
"duration": "time of cell phone use (not quantified)"
},
"population": "Human (in vitro) and animals (in vivo) as summarized in prior studies; focus on male reproductive health",
"sample_size": null,
"outcomes": [
"Male fertility/infertility",
"Sperm motility",
"Sperm count/number",
"Sperm morphology",
"Semen concentration",
"Oxidative stress/ROS",
"Hormonal changes",
"DNA damage",
"Micronuclei formation",
"Testicular effects"
],
"main_findings": "This narrative review summarizes literature suggesting that non-ionizing radiation exposure, particularly from mobile phones, is associated with altered sperm parameters and increased oxidative stress and DNA damage in in vitro human and in vivo animal studies. The authors also note that study outcomes vary and that existing studies do not establish a clear mechanism, calling for further research and stronger evidence.",
"effect_direction": "harm",
"limitations": [
"Narrative review; methods for literature search/selection not described in the provided text",
"No quantitative synthesis or effect sizes reported in the provided text",
"Exposure metrics (frequency, SAR, dose) and durations are not specified in the provided text",
"Authors state that existing studies are not able to suggest a true mechanism",
"Authors indicate limited studies on protective actions and call for large-scale analysis"
],
"evidence_strength": "low",
"confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
"peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
"stance": "concern",
"stance_confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
"summary": "This review discusses non-ionizing radiation sources (notably mobile phones) and male reproductive health, summarizing in vitro human and in vivo animal studies. It reports that multiple studies have found altered sperm parameters and increased oxidative stress and DNA damage associated with mobile phone exposure, while also noting variability in outcomes. The authors conclude that stronger evidence and mechanistic understanding are still needed and advocate precautionary guidance to reduce exposure near the groin.",
"key_points": [
"The paper is a review of prevailing literature on non-ionizing radiation exposure and male reproductive health.",
"Mobile phones are highlighted as a major daily source of non-ionizing (RF-EMF) exposure.",
"The review reports associations with changes in sperm motility, count, morphology, and semen concentration in prior studies.",
"It describes reported increases in oxidative stress/ROS and DNA damage (including micronuclei formation) linked to exposure in some studies.",
"The authors state that outcomes across studies can vary and that a definitive mechanism is not established.",
"The conclusion calls for further research, including larger-scale analyses and more work on protective actions.",
"The authors recommend precautionary measures such as reducing contact time and keeping phones away from the groin for those pursuing fertility."
],
"categories": [
"Reproductive Health",
"Mobile Phones",
"RF-EMF",
"Oxidative Stress",
"DNA Damage"
],
"tags": [
"Male Infertility",
"Reproductive Health",
"Mobile Phones",
"RF-EMF",
"Non-Ionizing Radiation",
"Sperm Motility",
"Sperm Count",
"Sperm Morphology",
"Semen Concentration",
"Oxidative Stress",
"Reactive Oxygen Species",
"DNA Damage",
"Testes",
"In Vitro Studies",
"Animal Studies"
],
"keywords": [
"reproductive health",
"nonionizing radiation",
"mobile phone",
"RF-EMF",
"male infertility",
"sperm parameters",
"oxidative stress",
"DNA damage"
],
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{
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"weight": 0.9499999999999999555910790149937383830547332763671875,
"reason": "The review emphasizes mobile phone RF exposure as a major source and discusses male fertility outcomes."
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"social": {
"tweet": "Review: prior in vitro (human) and in vivo (animal) studies suggest mobile phone RF exposure may be linked to altered sperm parameters, oxidative stress, and DNA damage, though mechanisms and stronger evidence are still needed.",
"facebook": "A review of published studies discusses non-ionizing radiation exposure—especially from mobile phones—and reports that some research links it to altered sperm parameters, oxidative stress, and DNA damage, while noting variability and the need for stronger evidence.",
"linkedin": "This narrative review summarizes literature on non-ionizing (RF-EMF) exposure from mobile phones and male reproductive health, reporting associations in prior studies with altered sperm parameters and increased oxidative stress/DNA damage, alongside calls for better evidence and mechanistic clarity."
}
}
AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.
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