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Reproductive Health464 citations

Mobile phone radiation induces reactive oxygen species production and DNA damage in human spermatozoa in vitro.

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De Iuliis GN, Newey RJ, King BV, Aitken RJ. · 2009

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Exposing purified human spermatozoa to radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation significantly increased DNA fragmentation and reactive oxygen species production while reducing motility and vitality.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed purified human spermatozoa in vitro to radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation tuned to 1.8 GHz across a range of specific absorption rates from 0.4 W/kg to 27.5 W/kg. As the SAR increased, sperm motility and vitality were significantly reduced, while mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation and DNA fragmentation were significantly elevated (P<0.001). The researchers also observed highly significant relationships between SAR, the oxidative DNA damage biomarker 8-OH-dG, and DNA fragmentation after exposure.

Why This Matters

The study used an overnight exposure design across a range of SAR values intended to cover mobile phone emission characteristics and generate dose-response data. To avoid any secondary heating effects, the temperature of the incubations was maintained at 21°C. The results indicated that this radiation stimulated free radical generation by the sperm mitochondria and created a state of oxidative stress characterized by oxidative base adducts and DNA fragmentation. The authors described their findings as having clear implications for the safety of extensive mobile phone use by males of reproductive age, potentially affecting both their fertility and the health and wellbeing of their offspring.

Exposure Details

SAR
0.4 - 27.5 W/kg
Source/Device
1.8 GHz (RF-EMR) from Mobile Phones
Exposure Duration
24 h

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.4 - 27.5 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 4 times higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 1.80 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 1.80 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

To investigate if Mobile Phone Radiation Induces Reactive Oxygen Species Production and DNA Damage in Human Spermatozoa In Vitro.

The study design involved overnight exposure to RF-EMR at a defined frequency (1.8 GHz), over a rang...

Purified human spermatozoa were exposed to radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) tuned ...

RF-EMR in both the power density and frequency range of mobile phones enhances mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation by human spermatozoa, decreasing the motility and vitality of these cells while stimulating DNA base adduct formation and, ultimately DNA fragmentation. These findings have clear implications for the safety of extensive mobile phone use by males of reproductive age, potentially affecting both their fertility and the health and wellbeing of their offspring.

Cite This Study
De Iuliis GN, Newey RJ, King BV, Aitken RJ. (2009). Mobile phone radiation induces reactive oxygen species production and DNA damage in human spermatozoa in vitro. PLoS One 4:e6446, 2009.
Show BibTeX
@article{gn_2009_mobile_phone_radiation_induces_12,
  author = {De Iuliis GN and Newey RJ and King BV and Aitken RJ.},
  title = {Mobile phone radiation induces reactive oxygen species production and DNA damage in human spermatozoa in vitro.},
  year = {2009},
  doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0006446},
  url = {http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0006446},
}
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0006446

Cited By (464 papers)

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Quick Questions About This Study

Motility and vitality were significantly reduced after RF-EMR exposure, in step with increasing SAR.
The specific absorption rates tested ranged from 0.4 W/kg to 27.5 W/kg.
The temperature of the incubations was maintained at 21°C to avoid any secondary heating effects.
The researchers measured 8-OH-dG, described as an oxidative DNA damage biomarker, and found highly significant relationships between SAR, 8-OH-dG, and DNA fragmentation.