Corrigendum to "Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure on male fertility: A systematic review of experimental studies on non-human mammals and human sperm in vitro" [Environ. Int. 185 (2024) 108509]

PAPER manual Environ Int 2025 Systematic review Effect: harm Evidence: High

Read original paper → DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2025.109449 PMID: 40268655 Evidence Lab

Abstract

Environ Int . 2025 May:199:109449. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2025.109449. WHO SR4A Review Full Title: Corrigendum to "Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure on male fertility: A systematic review of experimental studies on non-human mammals and human sperm in vitro" [Environ. Int. 185 (2024) 108509] Journal: Environment International Direct Link: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Protocol reference: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov This review evaluated: 117 animal studies 10 human sperm in vitro studies Major Finding: Moderate certainty — upgraded to high certainty in a 2025 corrigendum for the key endpoint — that RF-EMF exposure in males causes: A significant reduction in pregnancy rate when exposed males are mated. This is critical. This is not a sperm-motility proxy. This is not an oxidative stress biomarker. This is a direct reproductive endpoint. It means paternal RF exposure reduced the ability to successfully impregnate females. Additional findings included: Low-to-moderate certainty for reduced sperm count Reduced sperm vitality Increased sperm DNA damage This is the “conundrum” review many researchers now reference: strong adverse reproductive findings — especially the pregnancy-rate reduction from male exposure — alongside cautious regulatory interpretation. It directly raises concern for: Germline integrity Fertility decline Potential offspring impact This review evaluated 117 animal studies and 10 human sperm in vitro studies. Major finding: moderate certainty—upgraded to high certainty in a 2025 corrigendum for the key endpoint—that RF-EMF exposure in males causes a significant reduction in pregnancy rate when exposed males are mated. Additional findings included low-to-moderate certainty for reduced sperm count, reduced sperm vitality, and increased sperm DNA damage. The pasted text notes this as a “conundrum” review with strong adverse reproductive findings (especially pregnancy-rate reduction) alongside cautious regulatory interpretation, raising concern for germline integrity, fertility decline, and potential offspring impact.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Systematic review

Effect direction

harm

Population

non-human mammals and human sperm in vitro

Sample size

127

Exposure

Evidence strength

High

Confidence: 90% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

High certainty that RF-EMF exposure in males causes a significant reduction in pregnancy rate when exposed males are mated. Additional findings with low-to-moderate certainty include reduced sperm count, reduced sperm vitality, and increased sperm DNA damage.

Outcomes measured

pregnancy rate
sperm count
sperm vitality
sperm DNA damage

Limitations

uncertainty in some endpoints besides pregnancy rate
cautious regulatory interpretation despite strong adverse findings

Suggested hubs

who-icnirp (0.8)
Systematic review relevant to WHO and ICNIRP guidelines on RF-EMF exposure and reproductive health.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "systematic_review",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "non-human mammals and human sperm in vitro",
    "sample_size": 127,
    "outcomes": [
        "pregnancy rate",
        "sperm count",
        "sperm vitality",
        "sperm DNA damage"
    ],
    "main_findings": "High certainty that RF-EMF exposure in males causes a significant reduction in pregnancy rate when exposed males are mated. Additional findings with low-to-moderate certainty include reduced sperm count, reduced sperm vitality, and increased sperm DNA damage.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "uncertainty in some endpoints besides pregnancy rate",
        "cautious regulatory interpretation despite strong adverse findings"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "high",
    "confidence": 0.90000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "radiofrequency electromagnetic field",
        "male fertility",
        "pregnancy rate",
        "sperm count",
        "sperm vitality",
        "sperm DNA damage",
        "animal studies",
        "in vitro",
        "reproductive toxicity"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "who-icnirp",
            "weight": 0.8000000000000000444089209850062616169452667236328125,
            "reason": "Systematic review relevant to WHO and ICNIRP guidelines on RF-EMF exposure and reproductive health."
        }
    ]
}

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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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