Genotoxic Risks to Male Reproductive Health from Radiofrequency Radiation (Review)
Abstract
Genotoxic Risks to Male Reproductive Health from Radiofrequency Radiation (Review) Kaur P, Rai U, Singh R. Genotoxic Risks to Male Reproductive Health from Radiofrequency Radiation. Cells. 2023; 12(4):594. doi: 10.3390/cells12040594. Abstract During modern era, mobile phones, televisions, microwaves, radio, and wireless devices, etc., have become an integral part of our daily lifestyle. All these technologies employ radiofrequency (RF) waves and everyone is exposed to them, since they are widespread in the environment. The increasing risk of male infertility is a growing concern to the human population. Excessive and long-term exposure to non-ionizing radiation may cause genetic health effects on the male reproductive system which could be a primitive factor to induce cancer risk. With respect to the concerned aspect, many possible RFR induced genotoxic studies have been reported; however, reports are very contradictory and showed the possible effect on humans and animals. Thus, the present review is focusing on the genomic impact of the radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) underlying the male infertility issue. In this review, both in vitro and in vivo studies have been incorporated explaining the role of RFR on the male reproductive system. It includes RFR induced-DNA damage, micronuclei formation, chromosomal aberrations, SCE generation, etc. In addition, attention has also been paid to the ROS generation after radiofrequency radiation exposure showing a rise in oxidative stress, base adduct formation, sperm head DNA damage, or cross-linking problems between DNA & protein. Conclusions The present review reveals a better understanding of the genotoxic effects of radiofrequency radiation on male reproductive health emitted from mobile phones, laptops, microwaves, wireless networks, etc. The study focused on different endpoints such as DNA damage, micronuclei formation and genomic instability, SCE & chromosomal aberrations covering both in vitro and in vivo parameters. The available information following in vitro and in vivo exposure shows that all the yielded data has both positive and negative results. In this review, studies reported DNA fragmentation, apoptosis, and elevated protein expression in both human and animal spermatozoa, concluding a decrease in viability, mitochondrial genomic destruction and DNA strand breaks. Further micronuclei formation, SCE and chromosomal aberrations are also found to cause abnormalities, leading to the accumulation of mutations and hence causing cancer risk. While controversial investigation, on the other hand, supported with no effect on cellular apoptosis or DNA integrity. Our present study reviewed that RFR has insufficient energy production to generate genomic damage. Yet, such effects were probably found to be responsible for male infertility due to the indirect mechanism of oxidative stress via ROS generation in the exposed system. Few studies also suggested that the damage due to the cumulative effect of repeated exposure varies with physical parameters such as distance from the radiation source, short-term or long-term exposure duration, penetration depth, and frequency of exposure. Therefore, considering all data together, the present review supports the capability of radiofrequency radiation to induce genotoxicity underlying male infertility keeping some limitations in mind, since the report is a conclusion of narrative study and limited literature were found explaining the actual mechanism of micronuclei formation, sister chromatid exchange, chromosomal aberration and genomic instability. Hence, more studies are needed to elucidate the DNA damage mechanism with more robust study designs favoring potential genotoxic effects of RFR on male reproductive health. Open access paper: mdpi.com
AI evidence extraction
Main findings
This narrative review summarizes in vitro and in vivo studies on RF-EMF and male reproductive genotoxic endpoints, reporting that the literature includes both positive and negative findings. The authors state that RF radiation has insufficient energy to directly generate genomic damage, but suggest indirect mechanisms via ROS/oxidative stress may contribute to observed effects in some studies. The review concludes overall that RF radiation is capable of inducing genotoxicity underlying male infertility, while emphasizing contradictory evidence and limitations in the available literature.
Outcomes measured
- DNA damage/strand breaks
- DNA fragmentation
- Micronuclei formation
- Chromosomal aberrations
- Sister chromatid exchange (SCE)
- Genomic instability
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation
- Oxidative stress
- Apoptosis
- Sperm viability
- Mitochondrial genomic damage
- DNA-protein cross-linking/base adduct formation
- Cancer risk (as discussed)
- Male infertility (as discussed)
Limitations
- Narrative review design (not a systematic review/meta-analysis)
- Reports described as contradictory with both positive and negative results
- Limited literature explaining mechanisms for micronuclei formation, SCE, chromosomal aberrations, and genomic instability
- Physical exposure parameters (distance, duration, penetration depth, frequency) vary across studies, complicating interpretation
Suggested hubs
-
cell-phones
(0.78) Mobile phones are explicitly discussed as a key RF exposure source in relation to male reproductive genotoxic endpoints.
-
wifi
(0.62) Wireless networks are explicitly mentioned as RF exposure sources reviewed.
View raw extracted JSON
{
"publication_year": 2023,
"study_type": "review",
"exposure": {
"band": "RF",
"source": "mobile phone, laptops, microwaves, wireless networks, wireless devices",
"frequency_mhz": null,
"sar_wkg": null,
"duration": "short-term or long-term; repeated/cumulative exposure (discussed)"
},
"population": "Humans and animals (male reproductive system; spermatozoa) and in vitro cellular models (as reviewed)",
"sample_size": null,
"outcomes": [
"DNA damage/strand breaks",
"DNA fragmentation",
"Micronuclei formation",
"Chromosomal aberrations",
"Sister chromatid exchange (SCE)",
"Genomic instability",
"Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation",
"Oxidative stress",
"Apoptosis",
"Sperm viability",
"Mitochondrial genomic damage",
"DNA-protein cross-linking/base adduct formation",
"Cancer risk (as discussed)",
"Male infertility (as discussed)"
],
"main_findings": "This narrative review summarizes in vitro and in vivo studies on RF-EMF and male reproductive genotoxic endpoints, reporting that the literature includes both positive and negative findings. The authors state that RF radiation has insufficient energy to directly generate genomic damage, but suggest indirect mechanisms via ROS/oxidative stress may contribute to observed effects in some studies. The review concludes overall that RF radiation is capable of inducing genotoxicity underlying male infertility, while emphasizing contradictory evidence and limitations in the available literature.",
"effect_direction": "mixed",
"limitations": [
"Narrative review design (not a systematic review/meta-analysis)",
"Reports described as contradictory with both positive and negative results",
"Limited literature explaining mechanisms for micronuclei formation, SCE, chromosomal aberrations, and genomic instability",
"Physical exposure parameters (distance, duration, penetration depth, frequency) vary across studies, complicating interpretation"
],
"evidence_strength": "low",
"confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
"peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
"stance": "concern",
"stance_confidence": 0.6999999999999999555910790149937383830547332763671875,
"summary": "This 2023 narrative review discusses potential genotoxic impacts of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from common wireless technologies on male reproductive health. It summarizes in vitro and in vivo studies reporting endpoints such as DNA damage, micronuclei formation, chromosomal aberrations, and oxidative stress, noting that findings across studies are contradictory. The authors argue RF lacks sufficient energy for direct genomic damage but propose indirect oxidative-stress mechanisms and conclude the overall literature supports a capability for RF-related genotoxicity relevant to male infertility, while calling for more robust studies.",
"key_points": [
"The review covers RF-EMF exposures from devices such as mobile phones, laptops, microwaves, and wireless networks.",
"Endpoints discussed include DNA damage, DNA fragmentation, micronuclei formation, SCE, chromosomal aberrations, and genomic instability.",
"The authors report that the reviewed literature contains both positive and negative findings, described as contradictory.",
"Oxidative stress via ROS generation is highlighted as a potential indirect mechanism for observed effects.",
"Some reviewed studies report apoptosis changes and reduced sperm viability alongside DNA-related endpoints.",
"The review notes that effects may vary with exposure parameters such as distance, duration, penetration depth, and frequency.",
"The authors acknowledge limitations due to narrative synthesis and limited mechanistic evidence for several genotoxic endpoints."
],
"categories": [
"RF-EMF",
"Male Reproductive Health",
"Genotoxicity",
"Oxidative Stress",
"In Vitro Studies",
"Animal Studies"
],
"tags": [
"Radiofrequency Radiation",
"RF-EMF",
"Male Infertility",
"Sperm DNA Damage",
"Genotoxicity",
"Micronuclei",
"Chromosomal Aberrations",
"Sister Chromatid Exchange",
"Oxidative Stress",
"Reactive Oxygen Species",
"Mobile Phones",
"Wireless Networks",
"Laptops",
"Microwaves",
"Narrative Review"
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"keywords": [
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"chromosomal aberrations",
"SCE",
"ROS",
"oxidative stress",
"spermatozoa"
],
"suggested_hubs": [
{
"slug": "cell-phones",
"weight": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
"reason": "Mobile phones are explicitly discussed as a key RF exposure source in relation to male reproductive genotoxic endpoints."
},
{
"slug": "wifi",
"weight": 0.61999999999999999555910790149937383830547332763671875,
"reason": "Wireless networks are explicitly mentioned as RF exposure sources reviewed."
}
],
"social": {
"tweet": "2023 narrative review (Cells) summarizes in vitro/in vivo studies on RF-EMF from phones, laptops, microwaves and wireless networks and male reproductive genotoxic endpoints. Findings across studies are contradictory; authors suggest indirect oxidative-stress (ROS) mechanisms may contribute and call for more robust research.",
"facebook": "A 2023 narrative review in Cells discusses radiofrequency (RF-EMF) exposures from common wireless technologies and potential genotoxic endpoints relevant to male reproductive health (e.g., DNA damage, micronuclei, chromosomal aberrations, oxidative stress). The authors note contradictory findings across studies and emphasize the need for stronger study designs to clarify mechanisms.",
"linkedin": "Cells (2023) published a narrative review on RF-EMF exposures (phones, laptops, microwaves, wireless networks) and male reproductive genotoxic endpoints. The review reports mixed/contradictory findings across in vitro and in vivo studies, highlights oxidative-stress/ROS as a possible indirect mechanism, and calls for more robust mechanistic and exposure-characterized research."
}
}
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