Effect of mobile telephones on sperm quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Environ Int · 2014 · Harm · Moderate evidence

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HarmModerate evidencePaper 2738

Study snapshot

PublicationEnviron Int · 2014

Study typemeta_analysis

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingModerate

Abstract

Mobile phones are owned by most of the adult population worldwide. Radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) from these devices could potentially affect sperm development and function. Around 14% of couples in high- and middle-income countries have difficulty conceiving, and there are unexplained declines in semen quality reported in several countries. Given the ubiquity of mobile phone use, the potential role of this environmental exposure needs to be clarified. A systematic review was therefore conducted, followed by meta-analysis using random effects models, to determine whether exposure to RF-EMR emitted from mobile phones affects human sperm quality. Participants were from fertility clinic and research centres. The sperm quality outcome measures were motility, viability and concentration, which are the parameters most frequently used in clinical settings to assess fertility. We used ten studies in the meta-analysis, including 1492 samples. Exposure to mobile phones was associated with reduced sperm motility (mean difference -8.1% (95% CI -13.1, -3.2)) and viability (mean difference -9.1% (95% CI -18.4, 0.2)), but the effects on concentration were more equivocal. The results were consistent across experimental in vitro and observational in vivo studies. We conclude that pooled results from in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that mobile phone exposure negatively affects sperm quality. Further study is required to determine the full clinical implications for both sub-fertile men and the general population.

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 typemeta_analysis

Effect directionharm

PopulationParticipants from fertility clinic and research centres (human sperm samples; includes in vitro and in vivo studies).

Sample size1492

ExposureRF

Evidence strengthModerateConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Meta-analysis of 10 studies (1492 samples) found mobile phone RF-EMR exposure was associated with reduced sperm motility (mean difference -8.1%, 95% CI -13.1 to -3.2) and reduced viability (mean difference -9.1%, 95% CI -18.4 to 0.2). Effects on sperm concentration were described as more equivocal. Results were reported as consistent across in vitro experimental and in vivo observational studies.

Outcomes measured

sperm motility
sperm viability
sperm concentration

Limitations

Frequency, SAR, and exposure duration were not specified in the abstract.
Viability estimate confidence interval included 0 (95% CI -18.4 to 0.2), indicating uncertainty for that outcome.
Effects on sperm concentration were described as equivocal.
Participants/samples drawn from fertility clinics and research centres, which may limit generalizability (not further detailed in abstract).

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "meta_analysis",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Participants from fertility clinic and research centres (human sperm samples; includes in vitro and in vivo studies).",
  "sample_size": 1492,
  "outcomes": [
    "sperm motility",
    "sperm viability",
    "sperm concentration"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Meta-analysis of 10 studies (1492 samples) found mobile phone RF-EMR exposure was associated with reduced sperm motility (mean difference -8.1%, 95% CI -13.1 to -3.2) and reduced viability (mean difference -9.1%, 95% CI -18.4 to 0.2). Effects on sperm concentration were described as more equivocal. Results were reported as consistent across in vitro experimental and in vivo observational studies.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Frequency, SAR, and exposure duration were not specified in the abstract.",
    "Viability estimate confidence interval included 0 (95% CI -18.4 to 0.2), indicating uncertainty for that outcome.",
    "Effects on sperm concentration were described as equivocal.",
    "Participants/samples drawn from fertility clinics and research centres, which may limit generalizability (not further detailed in abstract)."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "moderate",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "mobile phone",
    "RF-EMR",
    "radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation",
    "sperm quality",
    "motility",
    "viability",
    "concentration",
    "fertility",
    "systematic review",
    "meta-analysis"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phones",
      "weight": 0.95,
      "reason": "Systematic review/meta-analysis of RF-EMR from mobile phones and sperm quality outcomes."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1016/j.envint.2014.04.015
PubMed: 24927498

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