Effect of Radiation Emitted by Wireless Devices on Male Reproductive Hormones: A Systematic Review

PAPER manual 2021 Systematic review Effect: mixed Evidence: Low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.732420 Evidence Lab

Abstract

Effect of Radiation Emitted by Wireless Devices on Male Reproductive Hormones: A Systematic Review Maluin Sofwatul Mokhtarah, Osman Khairul, Jaffar Farah Hanan Fathihah, Ibrahim Siti Fatimah. Effect of Radiation Emitted by Wireless Devices on Male Reproductive Hormones: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Physiology. 12:1568. 2021. doi:10.3389/fphys.2021.732420. Abstract Exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) from various wireless devices has increased dramatically with the advancement of technology. One of the most vulnerable organs to the RF-EMR is the testes. This is due to the fact that testicular tissues are more susceptible to oxidative stress due to a high rate of cell division and mitochondrial oxygen consumption. As a result of extensive cell proliferation, replication errors occur, resulting in DNA fragmentation in the sperm. While high oxygen consumption increases the level of oxidative phosphorylation by-products (free radicals) in the mitochondria. Furthermore, due to its inability to effectively dissipate excess heat, testes are also susceptible to thermal effects from RF-EMR exposure. As a result, people are concerned about its impact on male reproductive function. The aim of this article was to conduct a review of literature on the effects of RF-EMR emitted by wireless devices on male reproductive hormones in experimental animals and humans. According to the findings of the studies, RF-EMR emitted by mobile phones and Wi-Fi devices can cause testosterone reduction. However, the effect on gonadotrophic hormones (follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone) is inconclusive. These findings were influenced by several factors, which can influence energy absorption and the biological effect of RF-EMR. The effect of RF- EMR in the majority of animal and human studies appeared to be related to the duration of mobile phone use. Thus, limiting the use of wireless devices is recommended. Conclusion Existing animal and human data on the effect of RF-EMR emitted from wireless devices on male reproductive hormones are inconsistent and difficult to evaluate due to the heterogeneity of study design. However, most studies are consistent with the assertion that long-term exposure to RF-EMR from mobile phones and Wi-Fi devices can disrupt male reproductive hormones, particularly testosterone. Thus, avoiding long-term and excessive use of mobile phone is advisable to reduce the detrimental effect of RF-EMR. Open access paper: frontiersin.org

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Systematic review

Effect direction

mixed

Population

Experimental animals and humans

Sample size

—

Exposure

RF wireless devices (mobile phones, Wi‑Fi) · duration of mobile phone use (long-term exposure discussed)

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 74% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

Across included studies, RF-EMR from mobile phones and Wi‑Fi devices was reported to be associated with testosterone reduction in many studies. Effects on gonadotrophic hormones (FSH and LH) were described as inconclusive, and overall evidence was inconsistent due to heterogeneous study designs; longer duration of mobile phone use was noted as related to effects in many studies.

Outcomes measured

Testosterone
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Male reproductive hormones (general)

Limitations

Heterogeneity of study design across included animal and human studies
Inconsistent findings across existing data
Effects on gonadotrophic hormones (FSH, LH) inconclusive

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "systematic_review",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "wireless devices (mobile phones, Wi‑Fi)",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "duration of mobile phone use (long-term exposure discussed)"
    },
    "population": "Experimental animals and humans",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Testosterone",
        "Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)",
        "Luteinizing hormone (LH)",
        "Male reproductive hormones (general)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Across included studies, RF-EMR from mobile phones and Wi‑Fi devices was reported to be associated with testosterone reduction in many studies. Effects on gonadotrophic hormones (FSH and LH) were described as inconclusive, and overall evidence was inconsistent due to heterogeneous study designs; longer duration of mobile phone use was noted as related to effects in many studies.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Heterogeneity of study design across included animal and human studies",
        "Inconsistent findings across existing data",
        "Effects on gonadotrophic hormones (FSH, LH) inconclusive"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "RF-EMR",
        "radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation",
        "wireless devices",
        "mobile phone",
        "Wi-Fi",
        "testes",
        "male reproductive hormones",
        "testosterone",
        "FSH",
        "LH",
        "systematic review"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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