Can extremely low frequency magnetic field affect human sperm parameters and male fertility?

Tissue & cell · 2023 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 538

In vitro exposure to ELF-MF (50 Hz; 1 mT) for 2 hours was associated with statistically significant changes in progressive motility, morphology, and ROS production in human spermatozoa. The highlights state decreased progressive and non-progressive motility a…

Study snapshot

PublicationTissue & cell · 2023

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Can extremely low frequency magnetic field affect human sperm parameters and male fertility? Muti ND, Salvio G, Ciarloni A, Perrone M, Tossetta G, Lazzarini R, Bracci M, Balercia G. Can extremely low frequency magnetic field affect human sperm parameters and male fertility? Tissue Cell. 2023 Feb 18;82:102045. doi: 10.1016/j.tice.2023.102045. Highlights • Exposure to ELF-MF at the frequency of 50 Hz (1 mT) for 2 h alters reproductive function of human spermatozoa. • ELF-MF decreased spermatozoa progressive motility. • Exposure to ELF-MF decreased non-progressive spermatozoa motility. • ELF-MF decreased the spermatozoa with typical morphology. • Exposure to ELF-MF did not alter sperm concentration. Abstract Exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) may have different effects on spermatozoa depending on the waveform, magnetic flux density, frequency of ELF-MF, and duration of exposure. In this study, we investigated the possible role of ELF-MF (50 Hz; 1 mT) exposure in altering sperm parameters. In this study we found that exposure to ELF-MF at the frequency of 50 Hz (1 mT) for two hours induces statistically significant alterations in progressive motility, morphology and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production of human spermatozoa, suggesting a role of ELF-MF in altering reproductive function of spermatozoa. Our results represent an important discovery in the field since occupational exposure to the sine waveform 1 mT 50 Hz ELF- MF used in our study is possible in workplace. Moreover, these electromagnetic fields are product by many electronic devices and household appliances. Thus, alterations of progressive motility and morphology of spermatozoa would be important consequences of human exposures to ELF-MF. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typein_vitro

Effect directionharm

PopulationHuman spermatozoa (in vitro exposure)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 0.05 MHz · 2 h

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Sperm progressive motility
Sperm non-progressive motility
Sperm morphology (typical morphology)
Sperm concentration
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production

Limitations

Sample size not reported in the provided abstract/metadata
In vitro design; may not directly reflect in vivo male fertility outcomes
Exposure conditions limited to 50 Hz, 1 mT, 2 h (single frequency/flux density/duration)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 0.05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "2 h"
  },
  "population": "Human spermatozoa (in vitro exposure)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Sperm progressive motility",
    "Sperm non-progressive motility",
    "Sperm morphology (typical morphology)",
    "Sperm concentration",
    "Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In vitro exposure to ELF-MF (50 Hz; 1 mT) for 2 hours was associated with statistically significant changes in progressive motility, morphology, and ROS production in human spermatozoa. The highlights state decreased progressive and non-progressive motility and decreased typical morphology, while sperm concentration was not altered.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in the provided abstract/metadata",
    "In vitro design; may not directly reflect in vivo male fertility outcomes",
    "Exposure conditions limited to 50 Hz, 1 mT, 2 h (single frequency/flux density/duration)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low frequency magnetic field",
    "ELF-MF",
    "50 Hz",
    "1 mT",
    "human spermatozoa",
    "sperm motility",
    "sperm morphology",
    "reactive oxygen species",
    "male fertility",
    "occupational exposure"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.6,
      "reason": "Abstract notes that occupational exposure to 1 mT 50 Hz ELF-MF is possible in workplaces."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2023.102045
PubMed: 36870312

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