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Reproductive Health

The mobile phone decreases fructose but not citrate in rabbit semen: a longitudinal study.

No Effects Found

Salama N, Kishimoto T, Kanayama HO, Kagawa S · 2009

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Cell phone radiation reduced rabbit sperm motility by 22% after 10 weeks of 8-hour daily exposure near reproductive organs.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed male rabbits to cell phone radiation (900 MHz) for 8 hours daily over 12 weeks to study effects on semen quality. They found that phone radiation significantly reduced both sperm motility (movement ability) and fructose levels in semen, which sperm need for energy. The study suggests that prolonged cell phone exposure near reproductive organs may impact male fertility.

Why This Matters

This study adds to the growing body of evidence linking RF radiation exposure to male reproductive health problems. What makes this research particularly relevant is that the exposure setup mirrors real-world scenarios where men carry phones in pants pockets near reproductive organs for extended periods. The 50% reduction in sperm motility observed after 10 weeks of exposure is substantial and clinically significant. While this was an animal study, the biological mechanisms affecting sperm function are similar across mammals. The finding that fructose levels dropped alongside motility suggests RF radiation may disrupt the energy systems that sperm depend on for movement. This research reinforces the importance of keeping phones away from reproductive organs, especially given that many men carry devices in front pockets throughout the day.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 900 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 900 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 900 MHz Duration: 8 h daily for 12 weeks

Study Details

The negative impact of mobile phones on sperm motility has been previously described. Both fructose and citrate are important components in semen that facilitate sperm motility. To date, no studies have investigated the effect of exposure to electromagnetic radiation emitted from the mobile phone on their levels.. Therefore, a longitudinal study using the adult rabbit as a model was undertaken.

A total of 30 adult male rabbits were randomly divided into three groups. The first (phone) group wa...

A significant drop in both fructose levels (257 +/-11.6 vs. 489 +/- 8.4 mg %, the baseline level) an...

In conclusion, the pulsed radio frequency emitted by the mobile phone kept in the standby position longitudinally affected sperm motility and fructose but not citrate levels in rabbit semen.

Cite This Study
Salama N, Kishimoto T, Kanayama HO, Kagawa S (2009). The mobile phone decreases fructose but not citrate in rabbit semen: a longitudinal study. Syst Biol Reprod Med. 55(5):181-187, 2009.
Show BibTeX
@article{n_2009_the_mobile_phone_decreases_3348,
  author = {Salama N and Kishimoto T and Kanayama HO and Kagawa S},
  title = {The mobile phone decreases fructose but not citrate in rabbit semen: a longitudinal study.},
  year = {2009},
  doi = {10.3109/19396360903013126},
  url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.3109/19396360903013126},
}
DOI: 10.3109/19396360903013126

Cited By (38 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 2009 study found that 900 MHz radiation from phones in standby mode significantly reduced sperm motility in rabbits from 72% to 50% after 10 weeks of 8-hour daily exposure. The radiation also decreased fructose levels that sperm need for energy.
Phone radiation (900 MHz) significantly reduced fructose levels in rabbit semen after 10 weeks of exposure. Fructose dropped from 489 mg% to 257 mg%, nearly a 50% decrease. This matters because sperm require fructose for energy and movement.
Yes, research shows phones in standby position emit pulsed 900 MHz radiation that can harm reproductive health. A rabbit study found that standby phones worn near reproductive organs for 8 hours daily significantly reduced sperm motility and energy levels.
No, 12 weeks of 900 MHz cell phone radiation exposure did not significantly change citrate levels in rabbit semen. While the radiation reduced sperm motility and fructose levels, citrate remained unaffected throughout the study period according to 2009 research.
After 8 hours daily of 900 MHz phone radiation for 10 weeks, rabbit sperm showed significantly reduced motility (50% vs 72% baseline) and decreased fructose energy levels. However, researchers found no correlation between these two declining parameters.