- Title
- The effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on sperm function
- Creator
- Houston, B. J.; Nixon, B.; King, B. V.; De Iuliis, G. N.; Aitken, R. J.
- Relation
- ARC.DP110103951 http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP110103951
- Relation
- Reproduction Vol. 152, p. R263-R276
- Publisher Link
- http://dx.doi.org/10.1530/REP-16-0126
- Publisher
- BioScientifica
- Resource Type
- journal article
- Date
- 2016
- Description
- Mobile phone usage has become an integral part of our lives. However, the effects of the radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) emitted by these devices on biological systems and specifically the reproductive systems are currently under active debate. A fundamental hindrance to the current debate is that there is no clear mechanism of how such non-ionising radiation influences biological systems. Therefore, we explored the documented impacts of RF-EMR on the male reproductive system and considered any common observations that could provide insights on a potential mechanism. Among a total of 27 studies investigating the effects of RF-EMR on the male reproductive system, negative consequences of exposure were reported in 21. Within these 21 studies, 11 of the 15 that investigated sperm motility reported significant declines, 7 of 7 that measured the production of reactive oxygen species documented elevated levels and 4 of 5 studies that probed for DNA damage highlighted increased damage, due to RF-EMR exposure. Associated with this, RF-EMR treatment reduced antioxidant levels in 6 of 6 studies that studied this phenomenon, while consequences of RF-EMR were successfully ameliorated with the supplementation of antioxidants in all 3 studies that carried out these experiments. In light of this, we envisage a two-step mechanism whereby RF-EMR is able to induce mitochondrial dysfunction leading to elevated ROS production. A continued focus on research which aims to shed light on the biological effects of RF-EMR will allow us to test and assess this proposed mechanism in a variety of cell types.
- Subject
- radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation; radiation; sperm; sperm function
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1343409
- Identifier
- uon:29159
- Identifier
- ISSN:1470-1626
- Language
- eng
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