Effect of mobile telephones on sperm quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PAPER manual Environ Int 2014 Meta-analysis Effect: harm Evidence: Moderate

Read original paper → DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2014.04.015 PMID: 24927498 Evidence Lab

Abstract

Mobile phones are owned by most of the adult population worldwide. Radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) from these devices could potentially affect sperm development and function. Around 14% of couples in high- and middle-income countries have difficulty conceiving, and there are unexplained declines in semen quality reported in several countries. Given the ubiquity of mobile phone use, the potential role of this environmental exposure needs to be clarified. A systematic review was therefore conducted, followed by meta-analysis using random effects models, to determine whether exposure to RF-EMR emitted from mobile phones affects human sperm quality. Participants were from fertility clinic and research centres. The sperm quality outcome measures were motility, viability and concentration, which are the parameters most frequently used in clinical settings to assess fertility. We used ten studies in the meta-analysis, including 1492 samples. Exposure to mobile phones was associated with reduced sperm motility (mean difference -8.1% (95% CI -13.1, -3.2)) and viability (mean difference -9.1% (95% CI -18.4, 0.2)), but the effects on concentration were more equivocal. The results were consistent across experimental in vitro and observational in vivo studies. We conclude that pooled results from in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that mobile phone exposure negatively affects sperm quality. Further study is required to determine the full clinical implications for both sub-fertile men and the general population.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Meta-analysis

Effect direction

harm

Population

Participants from fertility clinic and research centres (human sperm samples; includes in vitro and in vivo studies).

Sample size

1492

Exposure

RF mobile phone

Evidence strength

Moderate

Confidence: 78% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

Meta-analysis of 10 studies (1492 samples) found mobile phone RF-EMR exposure was associated with reduced sperm motility (mean difference -8.1%, 95% CI -13.1 to -3.2) and reduced viability (mean difference -9.1%, 95% CI -18.4 to 0.2). Effects on sperm concentration were described as more equivocal. Results were reported as consistent across in vitro experimental and in vivo observational studies.

Outcomes measured

sperm motility
sperm viability
sperm concentration

Limitations

Frequency, SAR, and exposure duration were not specified in the abstract.
Viability estimate confidence interval included 0 (95% CI -18.4 to 0.2), indicating uncertainty for that outcome.
Effects on sperm concentration were described as equivocal.
Participants/samples drawn from fertility clinics and research centres, which may limit generalizability (not further detailed in abstract).

Suggested hubs

mobile-phones (0.95)
Systematic review/meta-analysis of RF-EMR from mobile phones and sperm quality outcomes.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "meta_analysis",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Participants from fertility clinic and research centres (human sperm samples; includes in vitro and in vivo studies).",
    "sample_size": 1492,
    "outcomes": [
        "sperm motility",
        "sperm viability",
        "sperm concentration"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Meta-analysis of 10 studies (1492 samples) found mobile phone RF-EMR exposure was associated with reduced sperm motility (mean difference -8.1%, 95% CI -13.1 to -3.2) and reduced viability (mean difference -9.1%, 95% CI -18.4 to 0.2). Effects on sperm concentration were described as more equivocal. Results were reported as consistent across in vitro experimental and in vivo observational studies.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Frequency, SAR, and exposure duration were not specified in the abstract.",
        "Viability estimate confidence interval included 0 (95% CI -18.4 to 0.2), indicating uncertainty for that outcome.",
        "Effects on sperm concentration were described as equivocal.",
        "Participants/samples drawn from fertility clinics and research centres, which may limit generalizability (not further detailed in abstract)."
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "moderate",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "mobile phone",
        "RF-EMR",
        "radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation",
        "sperm quality",
        "motility",
        "viability",
        "concentration",
        "fertility",
        "systematic review",
        "meta-analysis"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "mobile-phones",
            "weight": 0.9499999999999999555910790149937383830547332763671875,
            "reason": "Systematic review/meta-analysis of RF-EMR from mobile phones and sperm quality 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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