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[The effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field exposure on the pH of the adult male semen and the motoricity parameters of spermatozoa in vitro].

Zhonghua lao dong wei sheng zhi ye bing za zhi = Zhonghua laodong weisheng zhiyebing zazhi = Chinese journal of industrial hygiene and occupational diseases · 2012 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 4511

Compared with a parallel control group, exposure to a 50-Hz EMF at 0.4 mT for 15 min or 60 min significantly decreased sperm motility (a+b level) and activity ratio (a+b+c level) (P<0.01). Semen pH was not significantly changed after 15, 30, or 60 min exposur…

Study snapshot

PublicationZhonghua lao dong wei sheng zhi ye bing za zhi = Zhonghua laodong weisheng zhiyebing zazhi = Chinese journal of industrial hygiene and occupational diseases · 2012
Study typein_vitro
Reported directionHarm
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of 50-Hz extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) exposure on the pH of the adult male semen and the motoricity and motoricity parameters of spermatozoa. METHODS: Healthy adult male fresh semen was exposed to a 50-Hz EMF at 0.4 mT for 15, 30 and 60 min, respectively. The pH value of the semen, the motoricity and motoricity parameter of spermatozoa were detected and recorded in real time using the WLJY-9000 pattern chromatic color spermatozoa quality detection system. RESULTS: Compared with parallel control group, the exposure of adult male fresh semen to a 50-Hz EMF at 0.4 mT for 15 min or 60 min could decrease significantly the motoricity (spermatozoa with a + b lever) and the activity ratio (spermatozoa with a + b + c lever)(P < 0.01). However, there were no significant differences of motoricity and the activity ratio between exposure group and control group (P > 0.05), and after exposure to a 50-Hz. EMF for 30 min the motoricity and the activity ratio of exposure group were inhibited, as compared with control group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). The pH value of the semen was not obvious changed (P > 0.05) when semen was exposed to a 50-Hz EMF of 0.4 mT for 15, 30 and 60 min. CONCLUSION: In present experiment, it is suggested that the exposure of adult male fresh semen to a 50-Hz EMF in vitro could inhibit the motoricity and the activity ratio, but not affect the pH value of the semen within 60 min.

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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 typein_vitro
Effect directionharm
PopulationHealthy adult male fresh semen (in vitro)
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureELF · 0.05 MHz · 15, 30, and 60 min
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Compared with a parallel control group, exposure to a 50-Hz EMF at 0.4 mT for 15 min or 60 min significantly decreased sperm motility (a+b level) and activity ratio (a+b+c level) (P<0.01). Semen pH was not significantly changed after 15, 30, or 60 min exposure (P>0.05).

Outcomes measured

  • Semen pH
  • Sperm motility (motoricity; a+b level)
  • Sperm activity ratio (a+b+c level)
  • Sperm motility parameters (unspecified)

Limitations

  • In vitro semen exposure; may not reflect in vivo effects
  • Sample size not reported in abstract
  • Some results reporting is unclear/inconsistent for the 30 min exposure comparison
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 0.05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "15, 30, and 60 min"
  },
  "population": "Healthy adult male fresh semen (in vitro)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Semen pH",
    "Sperm motility (motoricity; a+b level)",
    "Sperm activity ratio (a+b+c level)",
    "Sperm motility parameters (unspecified)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Compared with a parallel control group, exposure to a 50-Hz EMF at 0.4 mT for 15 min or 60 min significantly decreased sperm motility (a+b level) and activity ratio (a+b+c level) (P<0.01). Semen pH was not significantly changed after 15, 30, or 60 min exposure (P>0.05).",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro semen exposure; may not reflect in vivo effects",
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Some results reporting is unclear/inconsistent for the 30 min exposure comparison"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low frequency",
    "ELF-EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "0.4 mT",
    "semen",
    "sperm motility",
    "activity ratio",
    "pH",
    "in vitro"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.35,
      "reason": "Published in an industrial hygiene/occupational diseases journal and involves ELF-EMF exposure conditions."
    }
  ]
}
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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: 22804883

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