Low frequency EMF increase human sperm motility - effect of 43 KHz radiation

2018 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 1972

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2018

Study typeother

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Low frequency EMF increase human sperm motility - effect of 43 KHz radiation Wdowiak A, Mazurek PA, Wdowiak A, Bojar I. Low frequency electromagnetic waves increase human sperm motility - A pilot study revealing the potent effect of 43 khz radiation. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2018 Nov 28. pii: 81771. doi: 10.13075/ijomeh.1896.01262. Abstract OBJECTIVES: Abnormalities in the timing and course of spermatozoa capacitation and hyperactivation underlie common pathologies related to male infertility. Recent data shows that low frequency electromagnetic waves may influence cell membrane potential and permeability. It is therefore possible that low frequency electromagnetic waves could affect the maturation and motility processes of spermatozoa. The 43-kHz wave generator was used for modeling the impact of environmental exposure to low frequency electromagnetic radiation on human sperm. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sperm samples were gathered from 103 fertile, healthy men aged 25-30 years old and performed computer-assisted sperm analysis. After initial examination, each participant's semen sample was divided into 2 aliquots (control and experimental) and placed in separate automated incubators. The samples constituting the experimental group were placed into the exposure system that emitted 43-kHz electromagnetic waves. Sperm motility was assessed at 3 h, 12 h and 24 h. RESULTS: Exposure to a 43-kHz radio frequency increased the percentage of sperm in progressive motility by up to 5.8% and the velocity of said sperm by up to 2 μm/s. Moreover, the total number of hyperactivated spermatozoa was significantly increased in the semen exposed to the electromagnetic signal. CONCLUSIONS: In vivo environmental exposure to 43-kHz waves may promote the development of infertility related to premature capacitation outside of the vaginal tract. Exposing semen to this particular frequency may also boost the capacitation and hyperactivation of spermatozoa in vitro, prior to conducting assisted reproductive therapies. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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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 typeother

Effect directionmixed

PopulationFertile, healthy men aged 25–30 years old (semen samples)

Sample size103

ExposureELF · 0.043 MHz

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In semen samples exposed to 43-kHz electromagnetic waves, progressive motility increased by up to 5.8% and sperm velocity increased by up to 2 μm/s; the total number of hyperactivated spermatozoa was significantly increased compared with control aliquots. The authors conclude that environmental exposure to 43-kHz waves may promote infertility related to premature capacitation outside the vaginal tract, while potentially boosting capacitation/hyperactivation in vitro prior to assisted reproductive therapies.

Outcomes measured

sperm progressive motility (%)
sperm velocity (μm/s)
hyperactivated spermatozoa (total number)
capacitation/hyperactivation (premature capacitation outside vaginal tract; inferred as mechanistic concern)

Limitations

Pilot study (as described in title)
Exposure details beyond frequency (e.g., field strength, SAR) not reported in abstract
In vitro exposure of semen samples; conclusions about in vivo environmental exposure are not directly tested in the described methods

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "other",
    "frequency_mhz": 0.043,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Fertile, healthy men aged 25–30 years old (semen samples)",
  "sample_size": 103,
  "outcomes": [
    "sperm progressive motility (%)",
    "sperm velocity (μm/s)",
    "hyperactivated spermatozoa (total number)",
    "capacitation/hyperactivation (premature capacitation outside vaginal tract; inferred as mechanistic concern)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In semen samples exposed to 43-kHz electromagnetic waves, progressive motility increased by up to 5.8% and sperm velocity increased by up to 2 μm/s; the total number of hyperactivated spermatozoa was significantly increased compared with control aliquots. The authors conclude that environmental exposure to 43-kHz waves may promote infertility related to premature capacitation outside the vaginal tract, while potentially boosting capacitation/hyperactivation in vitro prior to assisted reproductive therapies.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Pilot study (as described in title)",
    "Exposure details beyond frequency (e.g., field strength, SAR) not reported in abstract",
    "In vitro exposure of semen samples; conclusions about in vivo environmental exposure are not directly tested in the described methods"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "43 kHz",
    "low frequency electromagnetic waves",
    "human sperm",
    "sperm motility",
    "progressive motility",
    "hyperactivation",
    "capacitation",
    "male infertility",
    "in vitro exposure"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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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: 10.13075/ijomeh.1896.01262
PubMed: Not supplied

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