Current progress on the effect of mobile phone radiation on sperm quality: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of human and animal studies
Abstract
Current progress on the effect of mobile phone radiation on sperm quality: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of human and animal studies Gang Yu, Zhiming Bai, Song Chao, Qing Cheng, Gang Wang, Zeping Tang, Sixing Yang. Current progress on the effect of mobile phone radiation on sperm quality: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of human and animal studies. Environmental Pollution. 30 March 2021. doi.org. Highlights • Mobile phone use was related to sperm quality decline of men in some areas. • Mobile phone RF-EMR directly impaired mature sperm of men in vitro. • Mobile phone RF-EMR affected some parameters of sperm quality in experiment animals. • Experiment conditions affected pooled results of animal experiments. • More studies should be conducted to investigate this issue in new era. Abstract Potential suppression of fertility due to mobile phone radiation remains a focus of researchers. We conducted meta-analyses on the effects of mobile phone radiation on sperm quality using recent evidence and propose some perspectives on this issue. Using the MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, WOS, CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases, we retrieved and screened studies published before December 2020 on the effects of mobile phone use/mobile phone RF-EMR on sperm quality. Thirty-nine studies were included. Data quality and general information of the studies were evaluated and recorded. Sperm quality data (density, motility, viability, morphology, and DFI) were compiled for further analyses, and we conducted subgroup, sensitivity, and publication bias analyses. The pooled results of human cross-sectional studies did not support an association of mobile phone use and a decline in sperm quality. Different study areas contributed to the heterogeneity of the studies. In East Europe and West Asia, mobile phone use was correlated with a decline in sperm density and motility. Mobile phone RF-EMR exposure could decrease the motility and viability of mature human sperm in vitro. The pooled results of animal studies showed that mobile phone RF-EMR exposure could suppress sperm motility and viability. Furthermore, it reduced sperm density in mice, in rats older than 10 weeks, and in rats restrained during exposure. Differences regarding age, modeling method, exposure device, and exposure time contributed to the heterogeneity of animal studies. Previous studies have extensively investigated and demonstrated the adverse effects of mobile phone radiation on sperm. In the future, new standardized criteria should be applied to evaluate potential effects of mobile phone RF-EMR dosages. Further sperm-related parameters at the functional and molecular levels as well as changes in biological characteristics of germ cells should be evaluated. Moreover, the impact of mobile phone RF-EMR on individual organs should also be examined. Conclusion The results of our meta-analysis indicated that in East Europe and West Asia, mobile phone use is associated with a decline in human sperm density and motility. Mobile phone RF-EMR can reduce motility and viability of mature human sperm in vitro, and it can also reduce sperm motility and viability in male animals and decrease sperm density of sexually mature restrained rats. Some important factors that affect the results of animal experiments are study setup and radiation device as well as age and exposure time. Our study is an extension of previous studies and has scientific value for future studies on effects of mobile phone RF-EMR associated with sperm quality. sciencedirect.com
AI evidence extraction
Main findings
Across pooled human cross-sectional studies, the authors report no overall association between mobile phone use and reduced sperm quality, with heterogeneity partly attributed to study area. In subgroup analyses, mobile phone use was reported as correlated with decreased sperm density and motility in East Europe and West Asia. The meta-analysis reports that mobile phone RF-EMR exposure decreased motility and viability of mature human sperm in vitro and suppressed sperm motility and viability in animal studies, with some reductions in sperm density under specific animal conditions (e.g., mice; older or restrained rats).
Outcomes measured
- Sperm density
- Sperm motility
- Sperm viability
- Sperm morphology
- DNA fragmentation index (DFI)
Limitations
- Human evidence summarized was based on cross-sectional studies (limited for causal inference).
- Substantial heterogeneity was reported, including differences by study area in human studies.
- Animal-study results varied by experimental conditions (e.g., age, modeling method, exposure device, exposure time, restraint).
- Exposure/dose standardization was highlighted as a need for future research.
Suggested hubs
-
cell-phones
(0.95) Focuses on mobile phone use and mobile phone RF-EMR exposure.
View raw extracted JSON
{
"publication_year": null,
"study_type": "meta_analysis",
"exposure": {
"band": "RF",
"source": "mobile phone",
"frequency_mhz": null,
"sar_wkg": null,
"duration": "Studies published before December 2020; exposure time varied across included studies"
},
"population": "Humans (cross-sectional studies and in vitro mature human sperm) and male experimental animals (e.g., mice and rats)",
"sample_size": 39,
"outcomes": [
"Sperm density",
"Sperm motility",
"Sperm viability",
"Sperm morphology",
"DNA fragmentation index (DFI)"
],
"main_findings": "Across pooled human cross-sectional studies, the authors report no overall association between mobile phone use and reduced sperm quality, with heterogeneity partly attributed to study area. In subgroup analyses, mobile phone use was reported as correlated with decreased sperm density and motility in East Europe and West Asia. The meta-analysis reports that mobile phone RF-EMR exposure decreased motility and viability of mature human sperm in vitro and suppressed sperm motility and viability in animal studies, with some reductions in sperm density under specific animal conditions (e.g., mice; older or restrained rats).",
"effect_direction": "mixed",
"limitations": [
"Human evidence summarized was based on cross-sectional studies (limited for causal inference).",
"Substantial heterogeneity was reported, including differences by study area in human studies.",
"Animal-study results varied by experimental conditions (e.g., age, modeling method, exposure device, exposure time, restraint).",
"Exposure/dose standardization was highlighted as a need for future research."
],
"evidence_strength": "high",
"confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
"peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
"stance": "concern",
"stance_confidence": 0.66000000000000003108624468950438313186168670654296875,
"summary": "This updated systematic review and meta-analysis (39 studies) evaluated mobile phone use and mobile phone RF-EMR exposure in relation to sperm quality outcomes in humans, in vitro human sperm, and animals. Pooled human cross-sectional evidence did not support an overall association, but subgroup analyses reported declines in sperm density and motility in East Europe and West Asia. The authors report decreased motility and viability in in vitro human sperm and in animal experiments, with animal results influenced by experimental conditions.",
"key_points": [
"The review included 39 studies identified from multiple databases up to December 2020.",
"Pooled human cross-sectional studies did not support an overall association between mobile phone use and reduced sperm quality.",
"Study area contributed to heterogeneity, with reported associations in East Europe and West Asia for sperm density and motility.",
"Mobile phone RF-EMR exposure was reported to reduce motility and viability of mature human sperm in vitro.",
"Pooled animal studies reported reduced sperm motility and viability with RF-EMR exposure.",
"Animal-study heterogeneity was linked to factors such as age, modeling method, exposure device, and exposure time.",
"The authors call for standardized criteria to evaluate RF-EMR dosage and broader sperm-related endpoints in future studies."
],
"categories": [
"Reproductive Health",
"Cell Phones",
"RF-EMF",
"Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses",
"Animal Studies",
"In Vitro Studies"
],
"tags": [
"Mobile Phones",
"RF-EMR",
"Sperm Quality",
"Male Fertility",
"Sperm Motility",
"Sperm Viability",
"Sperm Density",
"Sperm Morphology",
"DNA Fragmentation Index",
"Cross-Sectional Studies",
"In Vitro Exposure",
"Animal Experiments",
"Heterogeneity",
"Subgroup Analysis",
"Exposure Dosimetry"
],
"keywords": [
"mobile phone",
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"motility",
"viability",
"density",
"morphology",
"DFI"
],
"suggested_hubs": [
{
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"weight": 0.9499999999999999555910790149937383830547332763671875,
"reason": "Focuses on mobile phone use and mobile phone RF-EMR exposure."
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"social": {
"tweet": "Meta-analysis (39 studies) on mobile phone RF-EMR and sperm quality: pooled human cross-sectional data showed no overall association, but subgroup results reported lower sperm density/motility in East Europe & West Asia; in vitro and animal studies reported reduced motility/viability under RF-EMR exposure.",
"facebook": "An updated systematic review and meta-analysis (39 studies) assessed mobile phone use and RF-EMR exposure in relation to sperm quality. Overall pooled human cross-sectional evidence did not support an association, but subgroup analyses reported declines in sperm density and motility in East Europe and West Asia. The review also reports reduced motility and viability in in vitro human sperm and in animal studies, with animal results influenced by experimental conditions.",
"linkedin": "Updated systematic review/meta-analysis (39 studies) on mobile phone RF-EMR and sperm quality: no overall association in pooled human cross-sectional studies, but subgroup findings in East Europe/West Asia suggested lower sperm density and motility. In vitro human sperm and animal studies reported reduced motility/viability, with heterogeneity driven by experimental setup and exposure parameters."
}
}
AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.
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