Does Electromagnetic Pollution in the ART Laboratory Affect Sperm Quality? A Cross-Sectional Observational Study.

PAPER manual Toxics 2025 Cross-sectional study Effect: mixed Evidence: Low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.3390/toxics13060510 Evidence Lab

Abstract

Category: Reproductive Health, Electromagnetic Field Research Tags: EMF exposure, sperm motility, ART laboratory, mobile phone radiation, Wi-Fi, male reproductive health, IVF laboratory DOI: 10.3390/toxics13060510 URL: mdpi.com Overview In recent decades, exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) generated by standard devices has raised concerns about possible effects on reproductive health. This cross-sectional observational study examined the impact of EMFs on sperm motility in a sample of 102 healthy males aged 20-35 years in the IVF laboratory. Semen samples were exposed to different sources of EMF for one hour, and motility was assessed immediately thereafter. Findings - Significant reduction in progressive sperm motility was observed after exposure to EMFs generated by mobile phones and Wi-Fi repeaters in the laboratory environment. - Other electromagnetic-emitting equipment did not result in significant effects on sperm motility. Conclusion The study demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in progressive sperm motility following in vitro exposure to EMFs emitted by mobile communication devices and wireless local area network access points. These findings indicate a potential negative impact of specific EMF sources on semen quality and highlight the need for further comprehensive research. The ultimate aim is to better understand clinical implications and to develop strategies that could mitigate the risks to male reproductive health. - Recommendation: Discourages the introduction of mobile phones in IVF laboratories and recommends positioning Wi-Fi repeaters on the ceiling.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Cross-sectional study

Effect direction

mixed

Population

102 healthy males aged 20–35 years (semen samples assessed in an IVF/ART laboratory context)

Sample size

102

Exposure

mobile phone; Wi-Fi repeater (wireless local area network access point) · 1 hour (in vitro semen sample exposure)

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 74% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

Progressive sperm motility was significantly reduced after 1-hour exposure of semen samples to EMFs generated by mobile phones and Wi-Fi repeaters in the laboratory environment. Other electromagnetic-emitting equipment did not show significant effects on sperm motility.

Outcomes measured

progressive sperm motility
sperm motility

Suggested hubs

school-wi-fi (0.2)
Includes Wi-Fi repeater/access point exposure, though in an IVF laboratory rather than a school setting.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "cross_sectional",
    "exposure": {
        "band": null,
        "source": "mobile phone; Wi-Fi repeater (wireless local area network access point)",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "1 hour (in vitro semen sample exposure)"
    },
    "population": "102 healthy males aged 20–35 years (semen samples assessed in an IVF/ART laboratory context)",
    "sample_size": 102,
    "outcomes": [
        "progressive sperm motility",
        "sperm motility"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Progressive sperm motility was significantly reduced after 1-hour exposure of semen samples to EMFs generated by mobile phones and Wi-Fi repeaters in the laboratory environment. Other electromagnetic-emitting equipment did not show significant effects on sperm motility.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "EMF exposure",
        "electromagnetic fields",
        "sperm motility",
        "progressive sperm motility",
        "sperm quality",
        "male reproductive health",
        "ART laboratory",
        "IVF laboratory",
        "mobile phone radiation",
        "Wi-Fi",
        "wireless local area network access point"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "school-wi-fi",
            "weight": 0.200000000000000011102230246251565404236316680908203125,
            "reason": "Includes Wi-Fi repeater/access point exposure, though in an IVF laboratory rather than a school setting."
        }
    ]
}

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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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