Genomic effects of cell phone exposure on the reproductive system

Abstract

Genomic effects of cell phone exposure on the reproductive system Yahyazadeh A, Deniz OG, Kaplan AA, Altun G, Yurt KK, Davis D. The genomic effects of cell phone exposure on the reproductive system. Environmental Research. Available online 5 June 2018. Abstract Humans are exposed to increasing levels of electromagnetic fields (EMF) at various frequencies as technology advances. In this context, improving understanding of the biological effects of EMF remains an important, high priority issue. Although a number of studies in this issue and elsewhere have focused on the mechanisms of the oxidative stress caused by EMF, the precise understanding of the processes involved remains to be elucidated. Due to unclear results among the studies, the issue of EMF exposure in the literature should be evaluated at the genomic level on the reproductive system. Based on this requirement, a detail review of recently published studies is necessary. The main objectives of this study are to show differences between negative and positive effect of EMF on the reproductive system of animal and human. Extensive review of literature has been made based on well known data bases like Web of Science, PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus. This paper reviews the current literature and is intended to contribute to a better understanding of the genotoxic effects of EMF emitted from mobile phones and wireless systems on the human reproductive system, especially on fertility. The current literature reveals that mobile phones can affect cellular functions via non- thermal effects. Although the cellular targets of global system for mobile communications (GSM)-modulated EMF are associated with the cell membrane, the subject is still controversial. Studies regarding the genotoxic effects of EMF have generally focused on DNA damage. Possible mechanisms are related to ROS formation due to oxidative stress. EMF increases ROS production by enhancing the activity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) oxidase in the cell membrane. Further detailed studies are needed to elucidate DNA damage mechanisms and apoptotic pathways during oogenesis and spermatogenesis in germ cells exposed to EMF. Conclusion This paper reviews the current literature and is intended to contribute to a better understanding of the genotoxic effects of EMF emitted from mobile phones and wireless systems on the human reproductive system, especially on fertility. The current literature reveals that mobile phones can affect cellular functions via non- thermal effects (Diem et al., 2005; Hanci et al., 2013 ; Odaci et al., 2016a). Although the cellular targets of GSM- modulated EMF are associated with the cell membrane, the subject is still controversial (Eberhardt et al., 2008). Studies regarding the genotoxic effects of EMF have generally focused on DNA damage (Mortelmans and Rupa, 2004; Young, 2002; Zeiger, 2004; Panagopoulos, 2012; Turedi et al., 2016). Possible mechanisms are related to ROS formation due to oxidative stress (Moustafa et al., 2004; Hanukoglu et al., 2006). EMF increases ROS production by enhancing the activity of NADH oxidase in the cell membrane (Friedman et al., 2007b). In this context, EMF affected spermatozoa may have a high degree rate of infertilization. It seems that previous genomic studies do not show definitive evidence regarding EMF affected cells in the fertilization. Although we evaluated broadly the genomic effects of cell phone exposure on the reproductive system using both animal and human studies, one of the weaknesses of this work is insufficient review of human studies. This may come from limited number of EMF based human studies in the literature. Further detailed studies are needed to elucidate DNA damage mechanisms and apoptotic pathways during oogenesis and spermatogenesis in germ cells that are exposed to EMF. sciencedirect.com

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

This narrative review summarizes studies on genotoxic/genomic effects of EMF from mobile phones and wireless systems on the reproductive system, with emphasis on fertility. The authors report that the literature suggests possible non-thermal cellular effects and discusses proposed mechanisms involving oxidative stress/ROS and DNA damage, while noting that findings remain controversial and not definitive, especially in humans.

Outcomes measured

• Genotoxicity/genomic effects
• DNA damage
• Oxidative stress/ROS
• Reproductive system effects
• Fertility
• Oogenesis and spermatogenesis
• Apoptosis pathways

Limitations

• Review notes unclear/controversial results across studies
• Insufficient review/limited number of human studies in the literature (as stated by authors)
• No specific exposure parameters (frequency/SAR/duration) summarized in the abstract

Suggested hubs

• who-icnirp (0.2)
  General discussion of EMF health effects and controversy; no specific guideline focus stated.

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    "exposure": {
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        "source": "mobile phone",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Humans and animals (literature reviewed)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Genotoxicity/genomic effects",
        "DNA damage",
        "Oxidative stress/ROS",
        "Reproductive system effects",
        "Fertility",
        "Oogenesis and spermatogenesis",
        "Apoptosis pathways"
    ],
    "main_findings": "This narrative review summarizes studies on genotoxic/genomic effects of EMF from mobile phones and wireless systems on the reproductive system, with emphasis on fertility. The authors report that the literature suggests possible non-thermal cellular effects and discusses proposed mechanisms involving oxidative stress/ROS and DNA damage, while noting that findings remain controversial and not definitive, especially in humans.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Review notes unclear/controversial results across studies",
        "Insufficient review/limited number of human studies in the literature (as stated by authors)",
        "No specific exposure parameters (frequency/SAR/duration) summarized in the abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
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        "ROS",
        "NADH oxidase",
        "fertility",
        "reproductive system",
        "spermatogenesis",
        "oogenesis"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "who-icnirp",
            "weight": 0.200000000000000011102230246251565404236316680908203125,
            "reason": "General discussion of EMF health effects and controversy; no specific guideline focus stated."
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