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Effect of mobile telephones on sperm quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-20, 14:17 authored by Jessica A Adams, Tamara S Galloway, Debapriya Mondal, Sandro C Esteves, Fiona MathewsFiona MathewsMobile phones are owned by most of the adult population worldwide. Radio-frequencyelectromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) from these devices could potentially affect sperm development and function. Around 14% of couples in high- and middle-income countries have difficulty conceiving, and there are unexplained declines in semen quality reported in several countries. Given the ubiquity of mobile phone use, the potential role of this environmental exposure needs to be clarified. A systematic review was therefore conducted, followed by meta-analysis using random effects models, to determine whether exposure to RF-EMR emitted from mobile phones affects human sperm quality. Participants were from fertility clinic and research centres. The sperm quality outcome measures were motility, viability and concentration, which are the parameters most frequently used in clinical settings to assess fertility. We used ten studies in the meta-analysis, including 1492 samples. Exposure to mobile phones was associated with reduced sperm motility (mean difference - 8.1% (95% CI - 13.1, - 3.2)) and viability (mean difference - 9.1% (95% CI - 18.4, 0.2)), but the effects on concentration were more equivocal. The results were consistent across experimental in vitroand observational in vivo studies. We conclude that pooled results from in vitro and in vivostudies suggest that mobile phone exposure negatively affects sperm quality. Further study is required to determine the full clinical implications for both sub-fertile men and the general population.
Funding
NERC; NE/J500185/1
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
Environment InternationalISSN
0160-4120Publisher
ElsevierExternal DOI
Volume
70Page range
106-112Department affiliated with
- Evolution, Behaviour and Environment Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2018-09-11First Open Access (FOA) Date
2018-09-11First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2018-09-11Usage metrics
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