Effects of electromagnetic waves emitted from 3G+wi-fi modems on human semen analysis

2017 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 2326

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2017

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Effects of electromagnetic waves emitted from 3G+wi-fi modems on human semen analysis Kamali K, Atarod M, Sarhadi S, Nikbakht J, Emami M, Maghsoudi R, Salimi H, Fallahpour B, Kamali N, Momtazan A, Ameli M. Effects of electromagnetic waves emitted from 3G+wi-fi modems on human semen analysis. Urologia. 2017 Sep 14:0. doi: 10.5301/uj.5000269. Abstract OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of 3G+wifi modems on human sperm quality.A total of 40 semen specimens were gathered between March and September 2015, from healthy adult men. METHODS: The sperm samples were divided into two groups - 3G+wi-fi exposed and unexposed groups. In the unexposed group, the specimens were shielded by aluminum foil in three layers and put into an incubator at a temperature of 37°C for 50 minutes. The exposed group was positioned in another room in an incubator at a temperature of 37°C for 50 minutes. A 3G+wi-fi modem was put into the same incubator and a laptop computer was connected to the modem and was downloading for the entire 50 minutes.Semen analysis was done for each specimen and comparisons between parameters of the two groups were done by using Kolmogorov-Smirnov study and a paired t-test. RESULTS: Mean percentage of sperm with class A and B motility were not significantly different in two groups (p = 0.22 and 0.54, respectively). In class C, it was significantly lower in the exposed group (p = 0.046), while in class D it was significantly higher (p = 0.022). Velocity curvilinear, velocity straight line, velocity average path, mean angular displacement, lateral displacement and beat cross frequency were significantly higher in the unexposed group. The limitation was the in vitro design. CONCLUSIONS: Electromagnetic waves (EMWs) emitted from 3G+wi-fi modems cause a significant decrease in sperm motility and velocity, especially in non-progressive motile sperms. Other parameters of semen analysis did not change significantly.EMWs, which are used in communications worldwide, are a suspected cause of male infertility. Many studies evaluated the effects of cell phones and wi-fi on fertility. To our knowledge, no study has yet been done to show the effects of EMWs emitted from 3G+wi-fi modems on fertility.Our study revealed a significant decrease in the quality of human semen after exposure to EMWs emitted from 3G+wi-fi modems. 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 typein_vitro

Effect directionharm

PopulationSemen specimens from healthy adult men

Sample size40

ExposureRF · 50 minutes

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In 40 semen specimens, class A and B motility did not differ significantly between exposed and unexposed groups, while class C was significantly lower and class D significantly higher in the exposed group. Multiple sperm velocity-related parameters were significantly higher in the unexposed group; authors conclude exposure to EMWs from a 3G+wi-fi modem decreased sperm motility and velocity, with other semen parameters not changing significantly.

Outcomes measured

Sperm motility (classes A, B, C, D)
Sperm velocity parameters (velocity curvilinear, velocity straight line, velocity average path)
Mean angular displacement
Lateral displacement
Beat cross frequency
Other semen analysis parameters (not specified)

Limitations

In vitro design
Exposure metrics not reported (e.g., frequency, power density, SAR)
Shielding/exposure setup details limited beyond aluminum foil shielding and incubator placement

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "3G+wi-fi modem",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "50 minutes"
  },
  "population": "Semen specimens from healthy adult men",
  "sample_size": 40,
  "outcomes": [
    "Sperm motility (classes A, B, C, D)",
    "Sperm velocity parameters (velocity curvilinear, velocity straight line, velocity average path)",
    "Mean angular displacement",
    "Lateral displacement",
    "Beat cross frequency",
    "Other semen analysis parameters (not specified)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In 40 semen specimens, class A and B motility did not differ significantly between exposed and unexposed groups, while class C was significantly lower and class D significantly higher in the exposed group. Multiple sperm velocity-related parameters were significantly higher in the unexposed group; authors conclude exposure to EMWs from a 3G+wi-fi modem decreased sperm motility and velocity, with other semen parameters not changing significantly.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro design",
    "Exposure metrics not reported (e.g., frequency, power density, SAR)",
    "Shielding/exposure setup details limited beyond aluminum foil shielding and incubator placement"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "3G",
    "Wi-Fi",
    "modem",
    "radiofrequency",
    "electromagnetic waves",
    "semen analysis",
    "sperm motility",
    "sperm velocity",
    "male fertility",
    "in vitro"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "school-wi-fi",
      "weight": 0.35,
      "reason": "Study involves Wi‑Fi-related RF exposure (via 3G+Wi‑Fi modem), though not in a school setting."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.5301/uj.5000269
PubMed: Not supplied

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