Effect of low-frequency electric field screening on motility of human sperm

2020 · Mixed · Low evidence

← Research stream

MixedLow evidencePaper 2219

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2020

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Effect of low-frequency electric field screening on motility of human sperm Romuald Górski, Malgorzata Kotwicka, Izabela Skibińska, Magdalena Jendraszak, Stanisław Wosiński. Effect of low-frequency electric field screening on motility of human sperm. Ann Agric Environ Med. 2020 Sep 11;27(3):427-434. doi: 10.26444/aaem/116019. Abstract Introduction: The human body is constantly exposed to an extremely low electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF), in particular at 50 Hz, emitted by power lines, domestic distribution lines, electrical appliances, etc. It is assumed that the increase in electromagnetic exposure may cause adverse effects upon human health, as well as raising concerns regarding the impact on human fertility. Objective: The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the influence of ELF-EMF with a frequency of 50 Hz on the motility of human sperm. At the same time, the effectiveness of the dielectric screen constructed by ADR Technology (r) in absorbing the emitted radiation was examined. Material and methods: Semen samples of 20 patients were exposed to the influence of an extremely low electromagnetic field. After 5, 15 and 30 min., spermatozoa motility was analysed using a computer-assisted spermatozoa motility analysis system. The following sperm motility parameters were examined: 1) velocity straight linear motility; 2) cross-beat frequency; 3) lateral head displacement; 4) homogeneity of progressive motility velocity. Results: It was found that the ELF-EMF presented a negative effect on the motility of human spermatozoa. A significant decrease in spermatozoa motility speed and a significant increase in lateral head deviation values were observed under the influence of the electromagnetic field. ELF-EMF did not show an effect on either lateral head displacement or homogeneity of progressive motility velocity. Conclusions: A positive effect of the dielectric screen ADR Technology(r) was found. This effect compensated spermatozoa motility changes induced with ELF-EMF. Open access paper: aaem.pl Human-Sperm,116019,0,2.html

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 directionmixed

PopulationHuman sperm (semen samples from patients)

Sample size20

ExposureELF · 0.05 MHz · 5, 15, and 30 min

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Exposure to 50 Hz ELF-EMF was reported to negatively affect human sperm motility, with a significant decrease in motility speed and a significant increase in lateral head deviation. ELF-EMF did not show an effect on lateral head displacement or homogeneity of progressive motility velocity. The ADR Technology dielectric screen was reported to compensate motility changes induced by ELF-EMF.

Outcomes measured

Sperm motility (computer-assisted analysis)
Velocity straight linear motility
Cross-beat frequency
Lateral head displacement
Homogeneity of progressive motility velocity

Limitations

In vitro study
Small sample size (20 patients)
Exposure intensity/field strength not reported in the abstract
Short exposure durations (up to 30 minutes)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "power lines, domestic distribution lines, electrical appliances (general ELF-EMF exposure); dielectric screen (ADR Technology) evaluated",
    "frequency_mhz": 0.05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "5, 15, and 30 min"
  },
  "population": "Human sperm (semen samples from patients)",
  "sample_size": 20,
  "outcomes": [
    "Sperm motility (computer-assisted analysis)",
    "Velocity straight linear motility",
    "Cross-beat frequency",
    "Lateral head displacement",
    "Homogeneity of progressive motility velocity"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Exposure to 50 Hz ELF-EMF was reported to negatively affect human sperm motility, with a significant decrease in motility speed and a significant increase in lateral head deviation. ELF-EMF did not show an effect on lateral head displacement or homogeneity of progressive motility velocity. The ADR Technology dielectric screen was reported to compensate motility changes induced by ELF-EMF.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro study",
    "Small sample size (20 patients)",
    "Exposure intensity/field strength not reported in the abstract",
    "Short exposure durations (up to 30 minutes)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF-EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "electric field",
    "dielectric screen",
    "ADR Technology",
    "human sperm",
    "motility",
    "fertility"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Mentions common 50 Hz sources such as power lines and electrical appliances, though the experiment is in vitro rather than occupational."
    }
  ]
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

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: 10.26444/aaem/116019
PubMed: Not supplied

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library