8,700 Studies Reviewed. 87.0% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.
Shield Your Body
Reproductive Health

Effects of exposure to a mobile phone on testicular function and structure in adult rabbit.

Bioeffects Seen

Salama N, Kishimoto T, Kanayama HO · 2010

View Original Abstract
Share:

Even phones in standby mode reduced rabbit sperm count by 61% after 12 weeks of daily exposure.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed male rabbits to radiation from a mobile phone in standby mode for 8 hours daily over 12 weeks. The exposed rabbits showed significantly reduced sperm concentration (dropping from 341 to 133 million per mL), decreased sperm motility, and smaller seminiferous tubules in their testes compared to control groups. This suggests that even phones in standby mode may harm male reproductive function.

Why This Matters

This study adds to mounting evidence that cell phone radiation affects male fertility, even at the low power levels emitted during standby mode. The 61% drop in sperm concentration observed here is particularly striking given that phones emit much less radiation when not actively in use. What makes this research especially relevant is that many men carry phones in pants pockets for hours daily, creating similar proximity to reproductive organs. While this study was later retracted for undisclosed reasons, its findings align with numerous other studies documenting sperm damage from RF radiation. The reality is that your phone doesn't have to be making a call to potentially affect your health. Put simply, distance matters when it comes to protecting reproductive function from wireless radiation.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 800 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 800 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 800 MHz Duration: 8 h daily for 12 weeks

Study Details

To study the effects of exposure to a mobile phone on testicular function and structure in adult rabbit

The accumulating effects of exposure to electromagnetic radiation emitted by a conventional mobile p...

A drop in the sperm concentration appeared in the phone group at week 6. This became statistically s...

In conclusion, low intensity pulsed radio frequency emitted by a conventional mobile phone kept in the standby position could affect the testicular function and structure in the adult rabbit.

Cite This Study
Salama N, Kishimoto T, Kanayama HO (2010). Effects of exposure to a mobile phone on testicular function and structure in adult rabbit. Int J Androl.33(1):88-94, 2010.
Show BibTeX
@article{n_2010_effects_of_exposure_to_2560,
  author = {Salama N and Kishimoto T and Kanayama HO},
  title = {Effects of exposure to a mobile phone on testicular function and structure in adult rabbit.},
  year = {2010},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19076254/},
}
PubMed: 19076254

Cited By (94 papers)

View all 94 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 2010 study found that male rabbits exposed to 800 MHz radiation from phones in standby mode for 8 hours daily showed significant reproductive damage. Sperm concentration dropped from 341 to 133 million per mL after 12 weeks of exposure, along with reduced sperm motility and smaller testicular structures.
Research on rabbits showed sperm concentration began dropping at week 6 of exposure to 800 MHz phone radiation in standby mode. The decline became statistically significant by week 8, with sperm count falling from 341 million per mL to just 133 million per mL after daily 8-hour exposures.
Yes, male rabbits exposed to 800 MHz phone radiation for 12 weeks showed significantly smaller seminiferous tubules (191 micrometers) compared to control groups (206-226 micrometers). This structural change in the sperm-producing tubes occurred alongside reduced sperm concentration and motility in the 2010 study.
Sperm motility remained normal until week 10, then declined significantly in rabbits exposed to phone radiation in standby mode. By study end, motile sperm dropped to 50% in the phone group compared to 61% in stressed controls and 72.4% in normal controls.
Research demonstrates that low intensity pulsed 800 MHz radiation from phones in standby position significantly affects rabbit testicular function and structure. After 12 weeks of 8-hour daily exposure, rabbits showed reduced sperm concentration, decreased motility, and smaller seminiferous tubules compared to unexposed controls.