title: Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic waves (RF-EMW) from cellular phones on human ejaculated semen: an in vitro pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate effects of cellular phone radiofrequency electromagnetic waves (RF-EMW) during talk mode on unprocessed (neat) ejaculated human semen.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective pilot study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Center for reproductive medicine laboratory in tertiary hospital setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Neat semen samples from normal healthy donors (n = 23) and infertile patients (n = 9).
  
  
  METHODS
  After liquefaction, neat semen samples were divided into two aliquots. One aliquot (experimental) from each patient was exposed to cellular phone radiation (in talk mode) for 1 h, and the second aliquot (unexposed) served as the control sample under identical conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Evaluation of sperm parameters (motility, viability), reactive oxygen species (ROS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of semen, ROS-TAC score, and sperm DNA damage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Samples exposed to RF-EMW showed a significant decrease in sperm motility and viability, increase in ROS level, and decrease in ROS-TAC score. Levels of TAC and DNA damage showed no significant differences from the unexposed group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiofrequency electromagnetic waves emitted from cell phones may lead to oxidative stress in human semen. We speculate that keeping the cell phone in a trouser pocket in talk mode may negatively affect spermatozoa and impair male fertility.
authors.affiliation: Center for Reproductive Medicine, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio; Obstetrics and Gynecology and Women's Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio. Electronic address: Agarwaa@ccf.org.
authors.forename: Ashok
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.affiliation: Center for Reproductive Medicine, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Nisarg R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Desai
authors.affiliation: Center for Reproductive Medicine, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Kartikeya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Makker
authors.affiliation: Center for Reproductive Medicine, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Varghese
authors.affiliation: Center for Reproductive Medicine, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Rand
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mouradi
authors.affiliation: Center for Reproductive Medicine, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Edmund
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sabanegh
authors.affiliation: Center for Reproductive Medicine, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio; Obstetrics and Gynecology and Women's Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Rakesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D040421:Cell Phone; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000528:radiation effects; D004542:Ejaculation / Q000528:radiation effects; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011846:Radio Waves / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D055101:Semen Analysis
chemical_list: D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species