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Reproductive Health

Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (UMTS) on reproduction and development of mice: A Multi-generation Study

No Effects Found

Sommer, A. M., Grote, K., Reinhardt, T., Streckert, J., Hansen, V. and Lerchl, A. · 2009

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Four-generation mouse study found no reproductive harm from continuous cell phone radiation exposure at levels exceeding typical human use.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed mice to cell phone radiation (UMTS signals at 1966 MHz) continuously for their entire lives across four generations to study effects on reproduction and development. They found no harmful effects on fertility, pup development, or reproductive health, even at exposure levels up to 1.3 W/kg SAR. The only minor finding was some changes in food consumption patterns without a clear dose-response relationship.

Why This Matters

This multi-generation study provides valuable data on reproductive safety, addressing one of parents' most pressing concerns about wireless radiation. The exposure levels tested (up to 1.3 W/kg SAR) exceed typical cell phone use, which generates around 0.5-1.6 W/kg during calls. However, this study represents just one piece of the scientific puzzle. The reality is that research on reproductive effects shows mixed results, with some studies finding sperm quality changes and developmental effects at similar exposure levels. What this means for you is that while this particular study is reassuring, the broader body of evidence on reproductive health and EMF exposure remains unsettled, warranting continued precaution especially during pregnancy and for children's developing systems.

Exposure Details

SAR
0, 0.08, 0.4 and 1.3 W/kg
Power Density
0, 0.135, 0.68 and 2.2 mW/cm²
Source/Device
1966 MHz (UMTS)
Exposure Duration
24 h/day

Exposure Context

This study used 0, 0.135, 0.68 and 2.2 mW/cm² for radio frequency:

Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0, 0.135, 0.68 and 2.2 mW/cm²Extreme Concern - 1,000 µW/m²FCC Limit - 10M µW/m²Effects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 7 times higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 1.97 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 1.97 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

To study the effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (UMTS) on reproduction and development of mice

Male and female mice (C57BL) were chronically exposed (life-long, 24 h/day) to mobile phone communic...

The results show no harmful effects of exposure on the fertility and development of the animals. The...

In summary, the results of this study do not indicate harmful effects of long-term exposure of mice to UMTS over several generations.

Cite This Study
Sommer, A. M., Grote, K., Reinhardt, T., Streckert, J., Hansen, V. and Lerchl, A. (2009). Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (UMTS) on reproduction and development of mice: A Multi-generation Study Radiat. Res. 171: 89-95, 2009.
Show BibTeX
@article{sommer_2009_effects_of_radiofrequency_electromagnetic_3412,
  author = {Sommer and A. M. and Grote and K. and Reinhardt and T. and Streckert and J. and Hansen and V. and Lerchl and A.},
  title = {Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (UMTS) on reproduction and development of mice: A Multi-generation Study},
  year = {2009},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19138054/},
}
PubMed: 19138054

Cited By (64 papers)

View all 64 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

A 2009 study exposed mice to UMTS cell phone radiation (1966 MHz) continuously across four generations and found no harmful effects on fertility or reproductive health. The research showed no impact on pup development, survival rates, or reproductive success even at high exposure levels.
Research testing 1966 MHz UMTS signals found no birth defects or developmental problems in mice exposed continuously throughout their lives. The study tracked four generations of mice and observed normal pup development and survival rates despite lifelong radiation exposure.
A multi-generation mouse study found that UMTS radiation at SAR levels up to 1.3 W/kg caused no reproductive harm. Researchers observed normal fertility, healthy offspring development, and successful breeding across four generations of continuously exposed mice.
Mice exposed to UMTS radiation showed some changes in food consumption patterns, though researchers found no clear dose-response relationship. This was the only minor finding in a comprehensive study that otherwise showed no reproductive or developmental effects.
A 2009 study exposing mice to 3G UMTS radiation for their entire lives across four generations found no fertility problems or reproductive damage. The research demonstrated that continuous exposure to 1966 MHz signals did not harm breeding success or offspring health.