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Reproductive Health285 citations

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

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Erogul O, Oztas E, Yildirim I, Kir T, Aydur E, Komesli G, Irkilata HC, Irmak MK, Peker AF. · 2006

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Exposure to a 900 MHz cellular phone caused a subtle decrease in rapid and slow progressive sperm movement and an increase in non-motile sperm.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers enrolled 27 men and divided each semen sample into two parts, exposing one to 900 MHz cellular phone radiation. Exposure caused a subtle decrease in rapid and slow progressive sperm movement and an increase in non-motile sperm. Sperm concentration did not differ significantly between exposed and unexposed samples.

Why This Matters

The study aimed to investigate the effects of cellular phone electromagnetic radiation on human sperm motility in vitro. Sperm movement was assessed using four categories: rapid progressive, slow progressive, nonprogressive, and no motility. The researchers reported statistically significant changes in rapid progressive, slow progressive, and no-motility categories. They suggested that EMR from cellular phones influences sperm motility and that long-term exposure might cause behavioral or structural changes in male germ cells. The authors noted that these effects may be observed later in life and warrant further investigation.

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

Study Details

The aim of this study is to investigate Effects of electromagnetic radiation from a cellular phone on human sperm motility: an in vitro study

A total number of 27 males were enrolled in the study. The semen sample obtained from each participa...

Statistically significant changes were observed in the rapid progressive, slow progressive and no-mo...

These data suggest that EMR emitted by cellular phone influences human sperm motility. In addition to these acute adverse effects of EMR on sperm motility, long-term EMR exposure may lead to behavioral or structural changes of the male germ cell. These effects may be observed later in life, and they are to be investigated more seriously.

Cite This Study
Erogul O, Oztas E, Yildirim I, Kir T, Aydur E, Komesli G, Irkilata HC, Irmak MK, Peker AF. (2006). Effects of electromagnetic radiation from a cellular phone on human sperm motility: an in vitro study. Arch Med Res. 37(7):840-843, 2006.
Show BibTeX
@article{o_2006_effects_of_electromagnetic_radiation_2063,
  author = {Erogul O and Oztas E and Yildirim I and Kir T and Aydur E and Komesli G and Irkilata HC and Irmak MK and Peker AF.},
  title = {Effects of electromagnetic radiation from a cellular phone on human sperm motility: an in vitro study.},
  year = {2006},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16971222/},
}
PubMed: 16971222

Cited By (285 papers)

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Quick Questions About This Study

Researchers enrolled 27 men, divided each semen sample equally into two parts, and exposed one part to 900 MHz cellular phone radiation.
Exposure caused a subtle decrease in rapid and slow progressive sperm movement and an increase in non-motile sperm.
There was no statistically significant difference in sperm concentration between exposed and unexposed samples.
The data suggest that EMR from cellular phones influences human sperm motility, and long-term exposure may lead to behavioral or structural changes in male germ cells.
Sperm movement was assessed using four criteria: rapid progressive, slow progressive, nonprogressive, and no motility.