Impact of Non-Ionizing Electromagnetic Emission from Cell Phones on Semen Parameters and DNA Integrity in Men
Abstract
Background: Various lifestyle and environmental variables are associated with male infertility, and one of those variables is radiation exposure. The most common source of non-ionizing radiation affecting male fertility is cell phones, which are certainly a necessary component of everyday life.
Methods: Ninety-seven semen samples were classified into normozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, teratozoospermia, and oligozoospermia groups. Standard seminal analysis was conducted to measure semen parameters and DNA fragmentation rate according to WHO 2021 guidelines. Participants received antioxidant treatment including Vitamin E and Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) for two months, and semen parameters and DNA fragmentation index were evaluated before and after treatment.
Results: The samples affected by electromagnetic waves emitted from cell phones exhibited a substantial reduction in semen parameters and DNA integrity. The normozoospermic group showed a significantly higher sperm agglutination (p = 0.048) and DNA fragmentation index (p < 0.001) in patients exposed to > 4 hours of non-ionizing electromagnetic waves. Sperm concentration was significantly lower in the oligozoospermia group with more exposure time (p = 0.031); on the contrary, the DNA fragmentation index was significantly higher in these patients (p = 0.050). In the asthenozoospermia and teratozoospermia groups, the only significant finding was higher DFI with higher exposure time (p = 0.043, p = 0.048).
Conclusion: The quality of semen and DNA integrity are both negatively correlated with electromagnetic waves released by cell phones. It is concluded that men of reproductive age should refrain from carrying their phones in their front trouser pocket or hip pocket, since this might harm spermatozoa parameters and reduce the reproductive capability of males.
Keywords:
Cell phone, radiation, non-ionizing electromagnetic waves, DNA fragmentation
Full Text:
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.62940/als.v13i1.2407
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