title: In vitro effect of pulsed 900 MHz GSM radiation on mitochondrial membrane potential and motility of human spermatozoa.
abstract: Ejaculated, density purified, human spermatozoa were exposed to pulsed 900 MHz GSM mobile phone radiation at two specific absorption rate levels (SAR 2.0 and 5.7 W/kg) and compared with controls over time. Change in sperm mitochondrial membrane potential was analysed using flow cytometry. Sperm motility was determined by computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA). There was no effect of pulsed 900 MHz GSM radiation on mitochondrial membrane potential. This was also the case for all kinematic parameters assessed at a SAR of 2.0 W/kg. However, over time, the two kinematic parameters straight line velocity (VSL) and beat-cross frequency (BCF) were significantly impaired (P < 0.05) after the exposure at SAR 5.7 W/kg and no exposure by time interaction was present. This result should not be ascribed to thermal effects, due to the cooling methods employed in the RF chamber and temperature control within the incubator.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa. falzonen@tut.ac.za
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Falzone
authors.forename: Carin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Huyser
authors.forename: Francois
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fourie
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Toivo
authors.forename: Dariusz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Leszczynski
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Franken
mesh_terms: D040421:Cell Phone; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D006801:Humans; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008872:Microwaves; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*