Preliminary Study on the Impact of 900MHz Radiation on Human Sperm: An In Vitro Molecular Approach

Abstract

Overview

With the exponential increase in the use of devices emitting electromagnetic fields (EMF) such as mobile phones and wireless equipment, there is growing concern regarding their biological impacts. Infertility rates are rising globally, with male factors contributing to almost half of the cases. This study evaluates the effects of 900MHz EMF exposure on critical parameters of human sperm using in vitro molecular techniques.

Study Design

• Healthy normozoospermic men's semen samples were divided into four groups: control (30 min, 1 h) and EMF exposure (30 min, 1 h).
• Sperm parameters assessed included motility, progressive motility, acrosomal index, and morphology.
• Genetic status was measured via DNA fragmentation and chromatin integrity analyses.
• Apoptotic markers (cytokine-c, caspase-3 expression) and effects on the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway were also evaluated.

Findings

• Motility: Significant reduction observed in sperm motility after 30 min of 900MHz EMF exposure.
• Signaling Pathway: Elevated expression of phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT) after 1 h of EMF exposure.
• Structural Effects: Increased vacuolization, acrosomal defects, subacrosomal space extension, uncondensed chromatin, apoptotic indicators, and disrupted axoneme appeared in both EMF-exposed groups but not in controls.
• No Significant Change: Other parameters like morphology, acrosomal index, PI3K expression rates, genetic status, and apoptotic markers did not significantly differ between groups.

Conclusion

Direct exposure to 900MHz electromagnetic fields significantly impairs human sperm function, particularly affecting motility and inducing structural and molecular changes indicative of cellular stress and potential reproductive harm. These findings underscore a clear link between EMF exposure and adverse male reproductive effects.