Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of electromagnetic radiation from a cellular phone on human sperm motility: an in vitro study. med./bio.

By: Erogul O, Oztas E, Yildirim I, Kir T, Aydur E, Komesli G, Irkilata HC, Irmak MK, Peker AF

Published in: Arch Med Res 2006; 37 (7): 840-843

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate possible effects on human sperm parameters exposed to electromagnetic irradiation of a GSM mobile phone in vitro.

Background/further details

The study population was composed of 27 healthy men with normal sperm parameters defined by the WHO. The sperm sample from each participant was divided into electromagnetic irradiation-exposed and not-exposed group.

Endpoint

effects on the reproductive system: sperm quality

Exposure

- mobile communications
- digital mobile phone
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: continuous for 5 min	power: 2 W peak value power density: 0.02 mW/cm² mean magnetic flux density: 7.1 µT (1.7-7.1 µT)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	900 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 5 min

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed

Exposure setup

Exposure source	cellular phone GSM, activated
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	10 cm
Chamber	In the exposure room, there were no other metal or ferromagnetic materials around the clean benches made of marble that would change the structure of the EMF. The use of any EMF emitting device was not allowed.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power	2 W	peak value	-	-	-
power density	0.02 mW/cm²	mean	-	-	-
magnetic flux density	7.1 µT	-	measured	-	1.7-7.1 µT

Additional parameter details

The EMF level produced by the mobile phone stayed approximately constant during ringing and speaking. Environmental EMF levels in the analysis and the exposure room, measured on the clean benches and on the stages of microscopes, were 0.1-0.4 µT, also with the mobile phone in stand-by.

Measurement and calculation details

All EMF measurements were performed using a Triaxial Magnetic Meter.

Reference articles

Panagopoulos DJ et al. (2004): Effect of GSM 900 MHz mobile phone radiation on the reproductive capacity of Drosophila melanogaster

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on the reproductive system: sperm concentration (Makler counting chamber), sperm motility (WHO grade: A: rapid progressive, B: slow progressive, C: nonprogressive, D: no motility)

Investigated system:

sperms

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Statistically significant differences in sperm motility were observed in the rapid progressive, slow progressive and no motility categories. Electromagnetic irradiation exposure caused a subtle decrease in the rapid progressive and slow progressive sperm motility. It also caused an increase in the no motility category of sperm motility.
There was no statistically significant difference in the sperm concentration between the exposed and not-exposed group.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

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