ID Number		1533
Study Type		In Vitro
Model		900 MHz (GSM) exposure to human sperm and analysis of viability and reproductive endpoints.
Details		Sperm samples from healthy volunteers (n = 12) were exposed to 900 MHz (GSM) RF for 1 hour at 2 or 5.7 W/kg in a Petri dish using a TEM cell. At 0, 2, and 24 hours following RF exposure, sperm were analyzed for motility as well as by flow cytometry for markers of apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other endpoints. The authors report no effect on progressive motility, but that at the highest level of exposure (5.7 W/kg) the sperm demonstrated decreased mobility in various tests (straight line velocity, average path velocity, and curvilinear velocity) and suggest this should be investigated further. In a subsequent study, n = 12 individual samples were exposed essentially as above at 2 W/kg. The authors report exposure significantly changed morphology and resulted in a reduction in ability to bind ovacytes. Lerchl 2011 (IEEE #5094): The large reduction in volume of sperm heads makes the report by Falzone et al. (2011) stating that the severely shrunken spermatozoa did not exhibit any effect on viability or acrosome reaction "incomprehensible." AUTHORS' ABSTRACT: Falzone et al. 2010 (IEEE #5474): Recent reports suggest that mobile phone radiation may diminish male fertility. However, the effects of this radiation on human spermatozoa are largely unknown. The present study examined effects of the radiation on induction of apoptosis-related properties in human spermatozoa. Ejaculated, density-purified, highly motile human spermatozoa were exposed to mobile phone radiation at specific absorption rates (SARs) of 2.0 and 5.7 W/kg. At various times after exposure, flow cytometry was used to examine caspase 3 activity, externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS), induction of DNA strand breaks, and generation of reactive oxygen species. Mobile phone radiation had no statistically significant effect on any of the parameters studied. This suggests that the impairment of fertility reported in some studies was not caused by the induction of apoptosis in spermatozoa.
Findings		Effects
Status		Completed With Publication
Principal Investigator		Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South
Funding Agency		Private/Instit.
Country		SOUTH AFRICA
References		Falzone, N et al. Bioelectromagnetics, (2008) 29:268-276 Falzone, N et al. Int J Androl., (2011) 34:20-26 Lerchl, A Bioelectromagnetics., (2011) 32:509-(1 page) Falzone, N Bioelectromagnetics., (2011) 32:510-(1 page) Lerchl, A Int J Androl., (2012) 35:103- Falzone , N et al. Radiat Res., (2010) 174:169-176
Comments