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Exposure to non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation of public risk prevention instruments threatens the quality of spermatozoids

2019 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 1865

Radiation with a hand-held metal detector was associated with significantly lower total and progressive motility in fresh semen and in insemination doses radiated after cryopreservation. No effect on motility parameters was detected when semen extended with c…

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2019
Study typeanimal
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Exposure to non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation of public risk prevention instruments threatens the quality of spermatozoids Tirpak F, Slanina T, Tomka M, Zidek R, Halo M Jr, Ivanic P, Gren A, Formicki G, Stachanczyk K, Lukac N, Massanyi P. Exposure to non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation of public risk prevention instruments threatens the quality of spermatozoids. Reprod Domest Anim. 2019 Feb;54(2):150-159. doi: 10.1111/rda.13338. Abstract The use of artificial insemination in cattle breeding has evolved to global extent, and insemination doses are often shipped via air transport which requires strict radiation-based examinations. For the determination of effect of non-ionizing radiation (NIR), to which are beings frequently exposed due to protection of airport or cultural event security, freshly ejaculated and cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa were used as experimental model. Following radiation with hand-held metal detector in various exposition times (0, 10 s, 15, 30 and 60 min-groups FR, FR10, FR15, FR30 and FR60) the spermatozoa underwent motility and DNA fragmentation analyses. Study on cryoconserved semen treated with NIR was performed in time intervals 0, 10 s, 1 and 5 min (insemination doses radiated before cryoconservation-CB, CB10, CB1, CB5; samples radiated after freezing-CA, CA10, CA1 and CA5). Fresh semen and insemination doses radiated after cryoconservation showed significantly lower total and progressive motility. No effect on motility parameters was detected in semen extended with cryopreservative medium and radiated prior to freezing. Surprisingly, NIR showed a potential to stimulate spermatozoa velocity; however, the effect was modulated throughout the post-thawing incubation. Based on the DNA fragmentation assay, sperm DNA stayed intact. Present study underlines the potential harm of NIR, which is frequently used in everyday life, with overall adverse impact on human and animal reproduction. Current study also points out on interesting short-term spermatozoa stimulation induced by NIR. 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 typeanimal
Effect directionmixed
PopulationBovine (cattle) spermatozoa (freshly ejaculated and cryopreserved)
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureFresh semen: 0, 10 s, 15, 30, 60 min; Cryopreserved semen: 0, 10 s, 1 min, 5 min (before or after freezing)
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Radiation with a hand-held metal detector was associated with significantly lower total and progressive motility in fresh semen and in insemination doses radiated after cryopreservation. No effect on motility parameters was detected when semen extended with cryopreservative medium was radiated prior to freezing. DNA fragmentation assay indicated sperm DNA stayed intact; the authors also report a potential short-term stimulation of sperm velocity modulated during post-thaw incubation.

Outcomes measured

  • Sperm motility (total and progressive)
  • Sperm velocity
  • DNA fragmentation

Limitations

  • Frequency/band and dosimetry (e.g., SAR) not reported in the abstract
  • Sample size not reported in the abstract
  • Animal in vitro model (bovine spermatozoa) may not generalize to humans
  • Exposure conditions described only as a hand-held metal detector; detailed exposure characterization not provided in the abstract
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "hand-held metal detector",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Fresh semen: 0, 10 s, 15, 30, 60 min; Cryopreserved semen: 0, 10 s, 1 min, 5 min (before or after freezing)"
  },
  "population": "Bovine (cattle) spermatozoa (freshly ejaculated and cryopreserved)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Sperm motility (total and progressive)",
    "Sperm velocity",
    "DNA fragmentation"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Radiation with a hand-held metal detector was associated with significantly lower total and progressive motility in fresh semen and in insemination doses radiated after cryopreservation. No effect on motility parameters was detected when semen extended with cryopreservative medium was radiated prior to freezing. DNA fragmentation assay indicated sperm DNA stayed intact; the authors also report a potential short-term stimulation of sperm velocity modulated during post-thaw incubation.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Frequency/band and dosimetry (e.g., SAR) not reported in the abstract",
    "Sample size not reported in the abstract",
    "Animal in vitro model (bovine spermatozoa) may not generalize to humans",
    "Exposure conditions described only as a hand-held metal detector; detailed exposure characterization not provided in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "non-ionizing radiation",
    "hand-held metal detector",
    "airport security",
    "cryopreservation",
    "bovine spermatozoa",
    "sperm motility",
    "DNA fragmentation",
    "artificial insemination"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.42,
      "reason": "Exposure context relates to security screening instruments used in airports/cultural event security; potential relevance to occupational/public screening exposure."
    }
  ]
}
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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: 10.1111/rda.13338
PubMed: Not supplied

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