Effect of mobile telephones on sperm quality : a systematic review
and meta-analysis

Adams, J; Galloway, TS; Mondal, D; Esteves, SC; Mathews, F

Abstract

Mobile phones are owned by most of the adult population worldwide. Radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation
(RF-EMR) from these devices could potentially affect sperm development and function. Around 14% of
couples in high- and middle-income countries have difficulty conceiving, and there are unexplained declines
in semen quality reported in several countries. Given the ubiquity of mobile phone use, the potential role of
this environmental exposure needs to be clarified. A systematic review was therefore conducted, followed by
meta-analysis using random effects models, to determine whether exposure to RF-EMR emitted from mobile
phones affects human sperm quality. Participants were from fertility clinic and research centres. The sperm quality
outcome measures were motility, viability and concentration, which are the parameters most frequently used in
clinical settings to assess fertility.
We used ten studies in the meta-analysis, including 1492 samples. Exposure to mobile phones was associated
with reduced sperm motility (mean difference −8.1% (95% CI −13.1, −3.2)) and viability (mean difference
−9.1% (95% CI −18.4, 0.2)), but the effects on concentration were more equivocal. The results were consistent
across experimental in vitro and observational in vivo studies. We conclude that pooled results from in vitro
and in vivo studies suggest that mobile phone exposure negatively affects sperm quality. Further study is required
to determine the full clinical implications for both sub-fertile men and the general population.

Citation

and meta-analysis. Environment International, 70, 106-112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2014.04.015

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 22, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Jun 10, 2014
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2014
• Deposit Date: Jan 22, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 8, 2018
• Journal: Environment International
• Print ISSN: 0160-4120
• Electronic ISSN: 1873-6750
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 70
• Pages: 106-112
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2014.04.015
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2014.04.015
• Related Public URLs: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/environment-international/