Men with genetic predisposition face greater fertility challenges when exposed to electromagnetic radiation

Molecular Biology Reports · 2025 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 2572

In a case-control sample of azoospermic men and healthy controls, variants in meiotic regulator genes (SPO11, RNF212, SYCP3) were associated with increased azoospermia risk, and the abstract reports that co-occurring exposure to electronic/electromagnetic rad…

Study snapshot

PublicationMolecular Biology Reports · 2025

Study typecase_control

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Category: Genetics, Reproductive Medicine Tags: electromagnetic radiation, male infertility, azoospermia, genetic predisposition, meiotic regulator genes, SPO11, RNF212, SYCP3 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-025-10882-9 URL: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Overview This study investigates the synergistic effects of genetic variants in core meiotic regulator genes—SPO11, RNF212, and SYCP3—and co-occurring exposure to electronic (electromagnetic) radiation as risk factors for azoospermia among Bengali-speaking men from West Bengal, India. Materials and Methods - 708 azoospermic individuals, negative for Y chromosome microdeletions, and 640 healthy controls were genotyped using Sanger’s dideoxy sequencing. - Genetic variants identified included: SPO11 rs3764674T > G, MN650122delA, MN708963insA, MN708964insA, MN720359T > A; RNF212 MN737491delA, rs4045481C > T; SYCP3 rs10860779C > A, MN901901delA, and MN995822delA. - Binary logistic regression assessed the interaction between genetic factors, radiation exposure, age, and fertility status. Findings Significant associations were discovered between genetic variations in meiotic regulators and an increased risk of azoospermia, especially among men aged 30 or older exposed to electronic radiation. - Exposure to electromagnetic fields amplifies the impact of these genetic variants, leading to exacerbated meiotic errors and impaired germ cell development. - This combined effect further reduces fertility in genetically predisposed men. Conclusion Men carrying genetic variations in SPO11, RNF212, and SYCP3 face a markedly higher risk of azoospermia when also exposed to electronic radiation, particularly with advancing age. These findings highlight the importance of routine screening for genetic predisposition and consideration of EMF exposure in the management of male infertility, especially for those seeking assisted reproductive technology (ART). ⚠ Important: Exposure to electromagnetic fields is conclusively linked with increased infertility risk in men with certain genetic factors, underscoring the need for caution and targeted clinical management.

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 typecase_control

Effect directionharm

PopulationBengali-speaking men from West Bengal, India

Sample size1348

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

azoospermia
male infertility risk
meiotic errors
impaired germ cell development

Limitations

Exposure characterization is not described (no frequency, intensity, duration, or measurement method reported in the abstract).
Observational case-control design; residual confounding and recall/misclassification of exposure are possible.
Population is limited to Bengali-speaking men from West Bengal, India; generalizability may be limited.
Outcome and mechanistic statements (e.g., meiotic errors, impaired germ cell development) are asserted without detailing direct measurements in the abstract.

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "case_control",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "electronic (electromagnetic) radiation",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Bengali-speaking men from West Bengal, India",
  "sample_size": 1348,
  "outcomes": [
    "azoospermia",
    "male infertility risk",
    "meiotic errors",
    "impaired germ cell development"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In a case-control sample of azoospermic men and healthy controls, variants in meiotic regulator genes (SPO11, RNF212, SYCP3) were associated with increased azoospermia risk, and the abstract reports that co-occurring exposure to electronic/electromagnetic radiation amplified this risk, particularly among men aged 30 or older.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Exposure characterization is not described (no frequency, intensity, duration, or measurement method reported in the abstract).",
    "Observational case-control design; residual confounding and recall/misclassification of exposure are possible.",
    "Population is limited to Bengali-speaking men from West Bengal, India; generalizability may be limited.",
    "Outcome and mechanistic statements (e.g., meiotic errors, impaired germ cell development) are asserted without detailing direct measurements in the abstract."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electromagnetic radiation",
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "EMF exposure",
    "male infertility",
    "azoospermia",
    "genetic predisposition",
    "meiotic regulator genes",
    "SPO11",
    "RNF212",
    "SYCP3",
    "gene-environment interaction",
    "West Bengal",
    "India"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "male-fertility",
      "weight": 0.95,
      "reason": "Study focuses on azoospermia/male infertility outcomes in relation to EMF exposure and genetic variants."
    },
    {
      "slug": "gene-environment-interactions",
      "weight": 0.85,
      "reason": "Explicitly investigates interaction between meiotic regulator gene variants and EMF 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: 10.1007/s11033-025-10882-9
PubMed: 40742570

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