Influence of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields on the Fertility System: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

JMIR research protocols · 2018 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 5556

Study snapshot

PublicationJMIR research protocols · 2018

Study typesystematic_review

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Due to the increased number of users of mobile phones, tablets, and other devices over the past few years, concerns about the potential impact of mobile phones on health are growing. The influence of mobile phone exposure on male fertility has been studied in recent years. Other research has shown that electromagnetic fields (EMFs) increase macrophages in the corpus luteum and growing follicles. Due to conflicting results among studies and since no systematic review has been performed to analyze the effects of radiofrequency EMF exposure from electronic devices on the fertility system in recent years, this evidence-based study is necessary. OBJECTIVE: The main objectives of this study are to determine the best evidence associated with the influence of radiofrequency EMFs on the fertility system and to provide insight into a potential mechanism using our observations. METHODS: In this systematic review, the databases and gray literature will be searched with no language and date limitation. The following databases will be searched: Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, ProQuest, Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and other Persian databases. The combination of the Medical Subject Heading terms "radiofrequency electromagnetic" and "male reproductive system" or "female reproductive system" will be searched. Observational study designs will be included but case reports, case series, reviews, and letters to the editor will be excluded. Papers selected for retrieval will be evaluated by two independent referees for methodological validation before entering a review using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for nonrandomized studies and cohort studies. RESULTS: The results of this study will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication and also presented at PROSPERO. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review will provide evidence-based data on the effect of radiofrequency EMFs on the fertility system. This article will also classify the harmful effect of radiofrequency waves on primary and secondary infertility. This study could be useful for decreasing infertility. This is important because the rate of infertility is growing, leading to negative outcomes for couples and the health care system. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42017072462; crd.york.ac.uk (Archived by WebCite at webcitation.org).

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 typesystematic_review

Effect directionunclear

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Fertility system effects
Male reproductive system outcomes
Female reproductive system outcomes
Primary infertility
Secondary infertility

Limitations

Protocol only; no results reported in abstract
Exposure characteristics (frequency, SAR, duration) not specified
Planned inclusion limited to observational studies; case reports/series excluded

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "systematic_review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone, tablets, and other electronic devices",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Fertility system effects",
    "Male reproductive system outcomes",
    "Female reproductive system outcomes",
    "Primary infertility",
    "Secondary infertility"
  ],
  "main_findings": null,
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Protocol only; no results reported in abstract",
    "Exposure characteristics (frequency, SAR, duration) not specified",
    "Planned inclusion limited to observational studies; case reports/series excluded"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency electromagnetic fields",
    "RF-EMF",
    "mobile phones",
    "electronic devices",
    "male fertility",
    "female fertility",
    "infertility",
    "systematic review protocol",
    "meta-analysis",
    "PROSPERO"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phones",
      "weight": 0.85,
      "reason": "Focuses on RF-EMF exposure from mobile phones and other devices."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.2196/resprot.9102
PubMed: 29422451

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