Challenges on the effect of cell phone radiation on mammalian embryos and fetuses: a review of the literature

Zygote (Cambridge, England) · 2021 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 1027

Study snapshot

PublicationZygote (Cambridge, England) · 2021

Study typereview

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Challenges on the effect of cell phone radiation on mammalian embryos and fetuses: a review of the literature Maryam Mahaldashtian, Mohammad Ali Khalili, Fatemeh Anbari, Mohammad Seify, Manuel Belli. Challenges on the effect of cell phone radiation on mammalian embryos and fetuses: a review of the literature. Zygote. 2021 Sep 29;1-7. doi: 10.1017/S0967199421000691. Abstract Cell phones operate with a wide range of frequency bands and emit radiofrequency-electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR). Concern on the possible health hazards of RF-EMR has been growing in many countries because these RF-EMR pulses may be absorbed into the body cells, directly affecting them. There are some in vitro and in vivo animal studies related to the consequences of RF-EMR exposure from cell phones on embryo development and offspring. In addition, some studies have revealed that RF-EMR from cellular phone may lead to decrease in the rates of fertilization and embryo development, as well as the risk of the developmental anomalies, other studies have reported that it does not interfere with in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection success rates, or the chromosomal aberration rate. Of course, it is unethical to study the effect of waves generated from cell phones on the forming human embryos. Conversely, other mammals have many similarities to humans in terms of anatomy, physiology and genetics. Therefore, in this review we focused on the existing literature evaluating the potential effects of RF-EMR on mammalian embryonic and fetal development. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Excerpts Mobile phones are commonly placed on the lap or in pockets (Swerdlow et al., 2011), therefore exposing the genital area to RF-EMF. Germ cells are more susceptible to RF-EMF, as they are rapidly dividing through meiosis and mitosis. EMF induces modifications in cellular levels such as activation of voltage-gated calcium channels, formation of free radicals, protein misfolding and DNA damage (Altun et al., 2018). In the general population, pregnant women are at specific risk of exposure to environmental RF-EMF because of their higher oxygen consumption and amniotic fluid-induced ROS production (Çiğ and Nazıroğlu, 2015) (Fig. 1). Individuals should reduce their rate of exposure to RF-EMF-emitting devices including mobile phones (Okechukwu, 2020) as electromagnetic waves enhanced the amount of oxygen free radicals in the body that led to disturbance of spermatogenesis process and variations in spermatozoa membrane, which resulted in changes in capacitation, acrosome reaction and therefore disorder in the process of spermatozoa binding to the oocyte and failure of normal fertilization both in vivo and in vitro (Fatehi et al., 2018). In addition, exposure to RF may lead to a decline in ovarian follicle reservoirs at the start of the prepubertal time (Türedi et al., 2016). To reduce the contact with RF-EMR radiated by cell phones, people should avoid keeping their phones inside their pockets, also use of hand-free materials and gadgets and mobile covers limit direct expose of cell phones to the body (Okechukwu, 2020). Also, people do not appreciate that a cell phone is a small base station and usually underrate the importance of distance between the cell phone and the body (Cousin and Siegrist, 2010). In analyzing the relationship between the distance of cell phone antenna from the body and SAR, Hossain and colleagues reported that increasing the distance of cell phone from the body led to diminishing of both electric and magnetic field strength to the body, therefore reducing SAR values (Hossain et al., 2015). Furthermore, it is known that the EMF decreases with distance and magnetic induction... Conclusion At this time, it is difficult from the available animal studies to document confidently the role of RF-EMR exposure on human embryo development, both in vivo and in vitro. Further investigations with complementary techniques will be necessary to understand the mechanism of action of RF-EMR emitted by cell phones and the consequences on mammals, particularly human beings.

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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 typereview

Effect directionmixed

PopulationMammalian embryos and fetuses (primarily in vitro and in vivo animal studies; human embryo studies noted as unethical)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

The review describes mixed findings from in vitro and in vivo animal studies on cell phone RF-EMR exposure, with some studies reporting decreased fertilization and embryo development and increased risk of developmental anomalies, while other studies report no interference with IVF/ICSI success rates or chromosomal aberration rates. The authors conclude that available animal studies do not allow confident documentation of a role for RF-EMR exposure on human embryo development and call for further investigation.

Outcomes measured

Embryo development
Fertilization rates
Developmental anomalies
IVF/ICSI success rates
Chromosomal aberrations

Limitations

Review summarizes heterogeneous in vitro and in vivo animal studies with mixed results
Human embryo studies are described as unethical, limiting direct human evidence
Authors state it is difficult to document confidently the role of RF-EMR on human embryo development from available animal studies

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "publication_year": 2021,
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Mammalian embryos and fetuses (primarily in vitro and in vivo animal studies; human embryo studies noted as unethical)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Embryo development",
    "Fertilization rates",
    "Developmental anomalies",
    "IVF/ICSI success rates",
    "Chromosomal aberrations"
  ],
  "main_findings": "The review describes mixed findings from in vitro and in vivo animal studies on cell phone RF-EMR exposure, with some studies reporting decreased fertilization and embryo development and increased risk of developmental anomalies, while other studies report no interference with IVF/ICSI success rates or chromosomal aberration rates. The authors conclude that available animal studies do not allow confident documentation of a role for RF-EMR exposure on human embryo development and call for further investigation.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Review summarizes heterogeneous in vitro and in vivo animal studies with mixed results",
    "Human embryo studies are described as unethical, limiting direct human evidence",
    "Authors state it is difficult to document confidently the role of RF-EMR on human embryo development from available animal studies"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "stance": "neutral",
  "stance_confidence": 0.62,
  "summary": "This narrative review summarizes literature on potential effects of mobile phone radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) on mammalian embryonic and fetal development. It reports mixed results across animal and in vitro studies, with some studies suggesting adverse effects on fertilization/embryo development and others reporting no effects on IVF/ICSI outcomes or chromosomal aberrations. The authors conclude that current animal evidence is insufficient to confidently infer effects on human embryo development and recommend further research.",
  "key_points": [
    "Cell phones emit RF-EMR across a range of frequency bands, motivating concern about possible biological effects.",
    "The review focuses on existing in vitro and in vivo animal studies relevant to embryonic and fetal development.",
    "Some included studies are described as reporting reduced fertilization and embryo development and increased risk of developmental anomalies after RF-EMR exposure.",
    "Other studies are described as reporting no interference with IVF/ICSI success rates or chromosomal aberration rates.",
    "The authors note direct studies on forming human embryos are unethical, limiting human evidence.",
    "The conclusion states available animal studies do not allow confident documentation of effects on human embryo development and calls for further investigation."
  ],
  "categories": [
    "Reproductive & Developmental",
    "Animal Studies",
    "In Vitro Studies",
    "Radiofrequency (RF)"
  ],
  "tags": [
    "Mobile Phones",
    "Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation",
    "Embryo Development",
    "Fetal Development",
    "Fertilization",
    "Developmental Anomalies",
    "IVF",
    "ICSI",
    "Chromosomal Aberrations",
    "Animal Studies",
    "In Vitro"
  ],
  "keywords": [
    "cell phone radiation",
    "RF-EMR",
    "mammalian embryos",
    "fetuses",
    "embryonic development",
    "fertilization",
    "IVF",
    "ICSI",
    "developmental anomalies",
    "chromosomal aberration"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "cell-phones",
      "weight": 0.95,
      "reason": "The review specifically addresses RF-EMR exposure from mobile/cell phones and potential reproductive/developmental outcomes."
    }
  ],
  "social": {
    "tweet": "Review of literature on mobile phone RF-EMR and mammalian embryo/fetal development reports mixed findings across animal and in vitro studies; authors conclude evidence is insufficient to confidently infer effects on human embryo development and call for more research.",
    "facebook": "A 2021 review summarizes studies on mobile phone RF-EMR exposure and mammalian embryo/fetal development. Findings across animal and in vitro studies are mixed, and the authors conclude current evidence is insufficient to confidently document effects on human embryo development, highlighting the need for further research.",
    "linkedin": "This 2021 narrative review examines published in vitro and in vivo animal studies on mobile phone RF-EMR exposure and mammalian embryonic/fetal development. Reported outcomes are mixed (some studies suggest adverse effects; others report no effect on IVF/ICSI outcomes or chromosomal aberrations), and the authors conclude that available animal evidence is insufficient to confidently infer impacts on human embryo development."
  }
}

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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: 10.1017/s0967199421000691
PubMed: 34583799

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