(180) Effects of Electromagnetic Radiation Emittted by Smartphones on Sperm Quality: An in Vitro Study

Abstract

Abstract Introduction In modern times, the widespread use of mobile phones is a notable source of radiofrequency–electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) with a potential impact on human health. The advancements in technologies such as Bluetooth earphones have increased the time the cell phone resides inside the pant pockets of men, in close contact with their testicles. As a result, it makes the testicles more prone to RF-EMR exposure for longer. Recent literature has shown that such long exposure is likely to cause damage to the sperm quality and functioning in several ways, including the increase in local body temperature, high oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species, and free radical formation (1,2). However, the causing effect of modern cell phones and wireless communication networks (4G and 5G) on sperm quality has not been explored. Objective The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of cell phone radiations emitted through communication technologies - 4G, 5G and WIFI on sperm motility and viability using an in-vitro approach and further try to shed light if physical barriers or distance ease these effects. Methods Normozoospermic men (n=18) aged 25-35 were recruited whose samples after semen analysis were divided into three parts i) in close contact with sample without cover ii) mobile phone covered with physical barrier, and iii) phone kept at distance from the samples. Standard semen analysis was carried according to WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen, 5th ed. Voice calls over the internet were made using 4G, 5G, or WIFI and using these, RF-EMF exposure was given for six hours which was measured by RF-EMR detection meter. In addition, to check for the heating effect, samples were kept inside the incubator at 37°C for samples exposed to WIFI effects. Continuous variables were presented as medians and interquartile ranges [25th - 75th], and comparison between groups was performed using the U Mann Whitney test. SPSS v.28 was used for statistical analysis. Results A decrease in both parameters under study was evident with WIFI (Motility (50% vs. 38%, p = 0.024; viability 60% vs 47%, p = 0.003), while no decrease was noted with 4G or 5G RF-EMR. Samples connected with WIFI were warmer but samples inside the incubator, when observed had decreased progressive motility (40% vs 24%, p= 0.04). On the other hand, the effect of RF-EMR by WIFI on smartphone was mitigated both for sperm motility and viability (p = 0.01, p = 0.01), n = 18) with the use of a case and on increasing the distance of the contact respectively. Conclusions The result from the study suggests that the radiation emitted by WIFI do have an adverse impact on the motility and viability of sperm. It seems plausible that the effect maybe a result of excess heat generation which was most evident with mobile phones connected to WIFI. However, further studies utilizing different phones and different time periods of exposure are warranted to effectively conclude the findings Disclosure No