Radio frequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) from GSM (0.9/1.8GHz) mobile phones induces oxidative stress and reduces sperm motility in rats.
BACKGROUND
Mobile phones have become indispensable in the daily lives of men and women around the globe. As cell phone use has become more widespread, concerns have mounted regarding the potentially harmful effects of RF-EMR from these devices.


OBJECTIVE
The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of RF-EMR from mobile phones on free radical metabolism and sperm quality.


METHODS
Male albino Wistar rats (10-12 weeks old) were exposed to RF-EMR from an active GSM (0.9/1.8 GHz) mobile phone for 1 hour continuously per day for 28 days. Controls were exposed to a mobile phone without a battery for the same period. The phone was kept in a cage with a wooden bottom in order to address concerns that the effects of exposure to the phone could be due to heat emitted by the phone rather than to RF-EMR alone. Animals were sacrificed 24 hours after the last exposure and tissues of interest were harvested.


RESULTS
One hour of exposure to the phone did not significantly change facial temperature in either group of rats. No significant difference was observed in total sperm count between controls and RF-EMR exposed groups. However, rats exposed to RF-EMR exhibited a significantly reduced percentage of motile sperm. Moreover, RF-EMR exposure resulted in a significant increase in lipid peroxidation and low GSH content in the testis and epididymis.


CONCLUSIONS
Given the results of the present study, we speculate that RF-EMR from mobile phones negatively affects semen quality and may impair male fertility.
Mailankot
Maneesh
M
Department of Biochemistry, Melaka Manipal, Medical College, Manipal, India.
Kunnath
Anil P
AP
Jayalekshmi
H
H
Koduru
Bhargav
B
Valsalan
Rohith
R
D000818:Animals; D040421:Cell Phone; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000528:radiation effects; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000528:radiation effects; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011846:Radio Waves / Q000009:adverse effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000528:radiation effects
D005978:Glutathione