This review summarizes research on the potential effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF EMR) from cell phones on reproduction in males and females. Some animal and human studies showed alterations in reproductive physiology, while others did not find any association. The studies to date are inconsistent in their methods and outcomes. Most research was conducted on male animals, with limited studies on females and humans. More rigorous long-term research is needed to fully understand if and how RF EMR impacts the reproductive system.

1. Challenging cell phone
impact on reproduction: A
Review
Presented by: Aleena Ahmad Khan

2. Title:
Challenging cell phone impact on
reproduction: A Review
Author:
Zaher O Merhi
Name of Journal: Gonadal Physiology and Disease
Location: Department of Obstetrics and
Gynecology and Women’s Health,
Division of Reproductive
Endocrinology and Infertility, Albert
Einstein College of Medicine and
Montefiore Medical Center,
1300 Morris Park Avenue,
Bronx, NY 10461, USA
Date of Publication:
16 February 2012

3. Abstract
Purpose The radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF EMR) produced
by cell phones can enhance the excitability of the brain and has recently
been classified as carcinogenic. The suggested use of hands-free kits lowers
the exposure to the brain, but it might theoretically increase exposure to
the reproductive organs. This report summarizes the potential effects of RFEMR on reproductive potentials in both males and females.
Methods A critical review of the literature pertaining to the impact of cell
phone RF-EMR on reproduction in male and female animals and humans
was performed, with a focus on gonad metabolism, apoptosis of
reproductive cells, fertility status, and serum reproductive hormones.
Results While some animal and human studies revealed alterations in
reproductive physiology in both males and females, others did not report
any association. The in vitro and in vivo studies to date are highly diverse,
very inconsistent in conduct and, in many cases, report different primary
outcomes.
Conclusion The increasing use of cell phone warrants well-designed studies
to ascertain the effect of their RF-EMR on reproduction.

4. Introduction
• Cell phones have become an integral part of
everyday life.
• According
to
WHO
Radio
Frequency
Electromagnetic Radiations (RF EMR) is
carcinogenic and increases risk for brain glioma
as antenna close to brain increases metabolism
and hence excitability of brain tissue due to
absorption of RF EMR.
• Cell phones “in talk mode” should be kept away
from head but as they are kept in pocket of
pants or trousers will effect the gonads.

5. Studies in Male
• In a study conducted on Wistar Rats (sham and exposed) , the effect
of free radical formation due to mobile phone exposure on rat fertility
was checked. The rats were exposed for 2h a day for 5 days to RF EMR
as a result there was decrease in antioxidant enzyme glutathione
(GSH) peroxidase and superoxide dismutase and increase in catalase
and malandialdehyde in exposed group. A drop was observed in
sperm micronuclei and a change was seen in sperm cell cycle of G(0)G(1) and G(2)/M thus affecting fertilizing potential of sperm.

6. Mobile phone in standby mode was positioned adjacent to the rabbits’
genitalia for 8 h daily for 12 weeks. Compared to the unexposed group,
there was a significant drop in both fructose levels, number of motile
sperms and a significant decrease in the diameter of seminiferous
tubules in the exposed group at the 10th week of exposure. There was
also a significant drop in the sperm concentration in the exposed group
at week 8. There were no changes in citrate levels .

7. • Male mice exposed to RF-EMR from mobile phone base stations
resulted in sperm head abnormalities.
• In a study in humans evaluated semen from normal healthy donors
(n=23) and infertile patients (n=9). Each semen sample was divided
into two: one part was exposed to cellular phone radiation (in talk
mode) for 1 h, and the second served as control. Samples exposed to
RF-EMR showed a significant decrease in sperm motility and viability,
increase in ROS level, and decrease in total anti-oxidant capacity (TAC)
score.

8. • Results of a study performed on rats with whole body exposure to
mobile multimedia access for 5 h per day, 7 days a week for 5 weeks
showed no difference in weights of the testis, epididymis, seminal
vesicles, and prostate among the exposed group compared to
unexposed controls. The number of sperm in the testis and
epididymis was not changed in the RF-EMR exposed group, and there
were no alterations in the sperm motility, morphology, or the
histological appearance of seminiferous tubules, including the stage
of the spermatogenic cycle.
• Twenty healthy male volunteers aged 19 to 40 were exposed to RFEMR radiation through the use of a cellular phone 2 h/day, 5
days/week, for 1 month. RF-EMR did not induce a long-lasting or
cumulative effect on the hormone secretion rate of the anterior
pituitary gland in humans.

9. Studies in Females
Diem et al evaluated the effect of intermittent and continuous RFEMR used in mobile phones on DNA strand breaks in vitro on cultured
rat granulosa cells. RF-EMR exposure induced DNA single- and
double-strand breaks after 16 h exposure.
Batellier et al evaluated that RF EMR exposure increases percentage
of embryo mortality by conducting a study on 60 fertile chicken eggs
by repeatedly calling a ten digit number at 3 mins interval over entire
incubation period.
Zareen et al suggested chick embryo growth retardation when cell
phone was placed in the center of incubator in silent and active
ringing mode.
Pregnant rats were exposed to RF EMR by placing mobile phones
beneath their cages during whole period of pregnancy. It was turned
on speech mode for 15 mins every 12h. After 21 day of delivery all
rats were killed and their right ovaries was checked. The number of
follicles was lower than control.

10. • Another study reveals that exposure of pregnant women to RF EMR
increases fetal and neonatal heart rate and significantly decreases
fetal cardiac output.
• Ogawa et al evaluated no adverse effects of RF-EMR exposure were
on any reproductive and embryo toxic parameters such as number of
live, dead embryos; placental weights; sex ratios; weights; or
external, visceral or skeletal abnormalities of live fetuses.

11. Conclusion

12. Critical Analysis
• This paper is a good review about the research conducted to check
the effect of RF EMR on reproductive system of male and female.
• Most of the research is conducted on rats and a very limited research
is conducted on Humans.
• A few research results does not provide a link between RF EMR and
its exposure on reproductive system as they are conducted for a few
weeks.
• A long term extensive research is required to check the extent of
adverse effect of RF EMR on different body systems.
• Most of the research is conducted on males as compared to females.
• This article lacks research related to cell phone use among infertility
patients.

13. Paper Reference
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3309987/pdf/
10815_2012_Article_9722.pdf