Effects of mobile phone exposure on metabolomics in the male and female reproductive systems

2018 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 2078

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2018

Study typereview

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Effects of mobile phone exposure on metabolomics in the male and female reproductive systems Altun G, Deniz OG, Yurt KK, Davis D, Kaplan S. Effects of mobile phone exposure on metabolomics in the male and female reproductive systems. Environmental Research. Available online 5 June 2018. Highlights • Long-term exposure to EMF decreases sperm motility and fertilization. • Effects of EMF emitted from mobile phones are related to protein synthesis. • Oxidative stress based EMF exposure modulates nitric oxide level in the germ cells. • Oxidative stress based EMF exposure inhibits antioxidant mechanisms in the germ cells. Abstract With current advances in technology, a number of epidemiological and experimental studies have reported a broad range of adverse effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on human health. Multiple cellular mechanisms have been proposed as direct causes or contributors to these biological effects. EMF-induced alterations in cellular levels can activate voltage-gated calcium channels and lead to the formation of free radicals, protein misfolding and DNA damage. Because rapidly dividing germ cells go through meiosis and mitosis, they are more sensitive to EMF in contrast to other slower-growing cell types. In this review, possible mechanistic pathways of the effects of EMF exposure on fertilization, oogenesis and spermatogenesis are discussed. In addition, the present review also evaluates metabolomic effects of GSM-modulated EMFs on the male and female reproductive systems in recent human and animal studies. In this context, experimental and epidemiological studies which examine the impact of mobile phone radiation on the processes of oogenesis and spermatogenesis are examined in line with current approaches. Conclusion EMF emitted by mobile phones has a number of well-documented adverse metabolomic effects on the male and female reproductive systems and can lead to infertility by increasing ROS production and reducing GSH and other antioxidants. The primary target of the EMF emitted by mobile phones may be the cell membrane (Pall in press, this volume). This then results in accelerated activity of membrane NADH oxidase and, consequently, greater rates of ROS formation that cannot be easily conjugated or detoxified. Although many studies have reported morphological and functional deteriorations in testis and ovary following EMF exposures, as well both structural and functional deficits in reproductive health, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. To assist in further clarification of these processes and mechanisms, Table 1 summarizes key studies on the metabolomic effects of EMF on reproductive systems. Future studies will benefit greatly from standardized exposure protocols and evaluations of key metabolomic indicators. sciencedirect.com

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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 directionharm

PopulationMale and female reproductive systems (humans and animals discussed)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · long-term (mentioned in highlights; not quantified)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

This review discusses mechanistic pathways and summarizes recent human and animal studies on GSM-modulated mobile phone EMF and metabolomic effects in male and female reproductive systems. The authors conclude that mobile phone-emitted EMF has adverse metabolomic effects associated with increased ROS and reduced GSH/antioxidants, and note reported deteriorations in reproductive structure/function, while stating mechanisms are not fully elucidated.

Outcomes measured

Metabolomic changes in male reproductive system
Metabolomic changes in female reproductive system
Sperm motility
Fertilization
Oogenesis
Spermatogenesis
Oxidative stress/ROS production
Nitric oxide levels in germ cells
Antioxidant mechanisms (e.g., GSH and other antioxidants)
Morphological and functional changes in testis and ovary
Infertility/reproductive health deficits

Limitations

Narrative review; no methods for study selection or quality appraisal described in the abstract
Exposure parameters (frequency, SAR, duration) are not standardized and are not specified in the abstract
Mechanisms are stated as not fully elucidated

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "long-term (mentioned in highlights; not quantified)"
  },
  "population": "Male and female reproductive systems (humans and animals discussed)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Metabolomic changes in male reproductive system",
    "Metabolomic changes in female reproductive system",
    "Sperm motility",
    "Fertilization",
    "Oogenesis",
    "Spermatogenesis",
    "Oxidative stress/ROS production",
    "Nitric oxide levels in germ cells",
    "Antioxidant mechanisms (e.g., GSH and other antioxidants)",
    "Morphological and functional changes in testis and ovary",
    "Infertility/reproductive health deficits"
  ],
  "main_findings": "This review discusses mechanistic pathways and summarizes recent human and animal studies on GSM-modulated mobile phone EMF and metabolomic effects in male and female reproductive systems. The authors conclude that mobile phone-emitted EMF has adverse metabolomic effects associated with increased ROS and reduced GSH/antioxidants, and note reported deteriorations in reproductive structure/function, while stating mechanisms are not fully elucidated.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Narrative review; no methods for study selection or quality appraisal described in the abstract",
    "Exposure parameters (frequency, SAR, duration) are not standardized and are not specified in the abstract",
    "Mechanisms are stated as not fully elucidated"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "mobile phone",
    "EMF",
    "RF",
    "GSM-modulated",
    "metabolomics",
    "reproductive system",
    "spermatogenesis",
    "oogenesis",
    "sperm motility",
    "fertilization",
    "oxidative stress",
    "ROS",
    "GSH",
    "nitric oxide",
    "antioxidants",
    "infertility"
  ],
  "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: Not supplied
PubMed: Not supplied

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