Mobile phone electromagnetic waves and its effect on human ejaculated semen: An in vitro study

Abstract

Mobile phones usage has seen an exponential growth recently. With this increasing demand, the amount of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) exposed is also increasing. Hence, we studied the effect of these radiations on ejaculated human semen and speculate the contribution of these harmful radiations in male infertility. Samples exposed to EMR showed a significant decrease in sperm motility and viability, increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DNA fragmentation index (DFI) compared to unexposed group. We concluded that mobile phones emit electromagnetic waves which lead to oxidative stress in human semen and also cause changes in DNA fragmentation. We extrapolate these findings to speculate that these radiations may negatively affect spermatozoa and impair male fertility.