The Effects Of Electromagnetic Radiation On Sperm Quality And The Relevant Mechanisms

Nowadays, electronic communications equipment has become an indispensable part of people’s life. People pay more attention to the influence of electromagnetic radiation on the male reproductive health. In this study, we will mainly discuss the influence of electromagnetic radiation on sperm quality, and to study its possible mechanisms related injury.ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of mobile phone radiation on sperm quality and to elucidate its possible mechanisms.Methods1. This study involved the male patients who came to the andrology clinic of Tangdu reproductive center because of infertility problems for the first time on Jan 5,15,25,2015. A questionnaire survey was conducted for all eligible patients. According to the frequency and duration of mobile phone, the patients were divided into three groups, the low radiation group, the mediate radiation group and the high radiation group. Semen routine parameters were compared between the three groups.2. According to the fifth edition WHO laboratory manual for the examination andprocessing of human semen, 103 volunteering participants who had conventional sperm parameters within the normal range were recruited. The semen sample obtained from each participant was divided equally into two parts. One of the specimens was exposed to radiation(1950 M Hz, SAR3.0 W/kg, time3 h) whereas the other was not. Then1) routine semen parameters were compared to analyze the effects of radiation on in vitro semen routine;2) acrosome reaction rate were compared to analyze the effects of radiation on spermatozoa function;3) To investigate the damage mechanisms of radiation on sperm, DNA damage and DNA methylation of the specimens were also compared.Results1. The frequency and duration of mobile phone use on semen routine101 valid questionnaires were received. The results showed that the sperm concentration and the total number of sperm were significantly lower(P<0.01) between the high radiation group and the low radiation group.But there were no significant differences between the mediate radiation group and the low radiation group, the high radiation group and the mediate radiation group.There were no significant differences in sperm motility, kinetic parameters, viability and morphological features between the three groups.2. The effect of mobile phones radiation on in vitro sperm quality1) The effect of mobile phones on semen routine parametersRoutine semen analysis shows that radiation exposure caused a significantly decrease in sperm percentage of PR(prograss sperm)(P<0.01) and sperm viability(P<0.01). Although there was no statistically significant difference in the sperm abnormality rate between the two groups(P>0.05), but the sperm head defect was significant increased in radiation group(P<0.05).2) The effect of mobile phones radiation on spermatozoa functionThe acrosome reaction rate was not changed between the two groups(P>0.05).3) The effect of mobile phones on DNA damageA significant increase in early apoptosis of sperm cells(P<0.05) was resulted by radiation exposure.4) The effect of mobile phones on DNA methylation patternsThe DNA methylation patterns of both H19 ICR and Kv DMR1 were not changed in the two groups(P>0.05).ConclusionThe frequency and duration of mobile phone use could affect semen quality. These data also suggest that cellular phone radiation could reduce the percentage of PR and sperm viability and increase head defect of in vitro human sperm. In addition, radiation exposure leads to early apoptosis of sperm cells. Nevertheless, more studies may be needed to investigate the effect of mobile phone radiation on sperm DNA methylation.