Effect of electromagnetic waves from mobile phones on spermatogenesis in the era of 4G-LTE

PAPER manual 2018 Animal study Effect: harm Evidence: Low

Read original paper → Evidence Lab

Abstract

Effect of electromagnetic waves from mobile phones on spermatogenesis in the era of 4G-LTE Oh JJ, Byun S, Lee SE, Choe G, Hong SK. Effect of electromagnetic waves from mobile phones on spermatogenesis in the era of 4G-LTE. BioMed Research International. Vol 2018 (2018), Article ID 1801798. Abstract Objective. To investigate the effect of long duration exposure to electromagnetic field from mobile phones on spermatogenesis in rats using 4G-LTE. Methods. Twenty Sprague-Dawley male rats were placed into 4 groups according to the intensity and exposure duration: Group 1 (sham procedure), Group 2 (3 cm distance + 6 h exposure daily), Group 3 (10 cm distance + 18 h exposure daily), and Group 4 (3 cm distance + 18 h exposure daily). After 1 month, we compared sperm parameters and histopathological findings of the testis. Results.The mean spermatid count (×106/ml) was 398.6 in Group 1, 365.40 in Group 2, 354.60 in Group 3, and 298.60in Group 4 (𝑝 = 0.041). In the second review, the mean count of spermatogonia in Group 4 (43.00) was significantly lower than in Group 1 (57.00) and Group 2 (53.40) (𝑝 < 0.001 and 𝑝 = 0.010, resp.). The sum of the germ cell counts was decreased in Group 4 compared to Groups 1, 2, and 3 (𝑝 = 0.032). The mean Leydig cell count was significantly decreased in Group 4 (𝑝 < 0.001). Conclusions.The longer exposure duration of electromagnetic field decreased the spermatogenesis. Our findings warrant further investigations on the potential effects of EMF from mobile phones on male fertility. hindawi.com

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Animal study

Effect direction

harm

Population

Sprague-Dawley male rats

Sample size

Exposure

RF mobile phone · Daily exposure for 1 month; groups exposed 6 h/day or 18 h/day at 3 cm or 10 cm distance (sham control included).

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 78% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

After 1 month, spermatid count differed across groups (p=0.041) and was lowest in the 3 cm + 18 h/day group. The 3 cm + 18 h/day group had significantly lower spermatogonia counts versus sham and the 3 cm + 6 h/day group, decreased total germ cell counts (p=0.032), and decreased Leydig cell counts (p<0.001).

Outcomes measured

Spermatid count
Spermatogonia count
Germ cell counts (sum)
Leydig cell count
Testis histopathology
Sperm parameters

Limitations

Frequency and SAR not reported in the abstract
Small sample size (20 rats total)
Exposure characterized by distance and duration; intensity metrics not provided

Suggested hubs

mobile-phones (0.9)
Study evaluates EMF exposure from mobile phones (4G-LTE) and reproductive outcomes.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "Daily exposure for 1 month; groups exposed 6 h/day or 18 h/day at 3 cm or 10 cm distance (sham control included)."
    },
    "population": "Sprague-Dawley male rats",
    "sample_size": 20,
    "outcomes": [
        "Spermatid count",
        "Spermatogonia count",
        "Germ cell counts (sum)",
        "Leydig cell count",
        "Testis histopathology",
        "Sperm parameters"
    ],
    "main_findings": "After 1 month, spermatid count differed across groups (p=0.041) and was lowest in the 3 cm + 18 h/day group. The 3 cm + 18 h/day group had significantly lower spermatogonia counts versus sham and the 3 cm + 6 h/day group, decreased total germ cell counts (p=0.032), and decreased Leydig cell counts (p<0.001).",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Frequency and SAR not reported in the abstract",
        "Small sample size (20 rats total)",
        "Exposure characterized by distance and duration; intensity metrics not provided"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "4G-LTE",
        "mobile phone",
        "electromagnetic field",
        "RF exposure",
        "spermatogenesis",
        "male fertility",
        "rats",
        "testis histopathology"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "mobile-phones",
            "weight": 0.90000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
            "reason": "Study evaluates EMF exposure from mobile phones (4G-LTE) and reproductive outcomes."
        }
    ]
}

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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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